ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA — The 2027 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has officially flagged off his campaign with a pledge to restore local government financial autonomy, improve workers’ welfare, and revive the state’s economy through a comprehensive development agenda .
The flag-off ceremony, held on Wednesday at the Ake Palace Pavilion in Abeokuta, drew thousands of supporters, party faithful, and residents from across the state’s 20 local government areas, who braved a heavy downpour to demonstrate their backing for the PDP candidate . The event marked the official commencement of the party’s statewide campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections .
Addressing the gathering in his campaign address titled “A Call to Liberation,” Adebutu declared that Ogun State had suffered 15 years of regression in governance and infrastructure, vowing to return the party to power and rescue the state from what he described as maladministration and corruption . He described the PDP as “the undisputed fortress of the masses” and insisted that delivering tangible dividends of democracy would be his administration’s “unbreakable covenant” with the people .
Seven Key Priority Areas
Adebutu unveiled an economic and social development agenda tagged “ITURA” meaning “relief,” promising to tackle poverty, unemployment, insecurity, and poor governance . He outlined seven priority areas: improved security and law and order; true local government financial autonomy and workers’ welfare; urban and regional development; rural and border communities development; agricultural, economic and industrial development; development of women, youth and sports; and enhancement of education, healthcare and other social services .
Local Government Autonomy
The PDP candidate made local government autonomy a cornerstone of his campaign, vowing to grant full financial independence to the 20 local government councils if elected . He alleged that governors across Nigeria, irrespective of political affiliation, had been diverting local government allocations, denying councils the resources needed for grassroots development .
“I will do something that will stun this nation and put us in the right direction. Local governments shall get their own money,” Adebutu declared . He argued that empowered councils would create additional centres of development across the state, recalling that the administration of former Governor Gbenga Daniel practiced effective local government autonomy .
Workers’ Welfare and Economic Revival
Adebutu pledged to address the welfare of civil servants and pensioners, promising immediate payment of all withheld gratuities and an overhaul of the Contributory Pension Scheme . He also vowed to end the “predatory structures of double taxation” that have choked market women and small business owners .
“We shall also liberate our Local Government Councils from financial bondage, returning sovereign administrative power and resources directly to your communities,” Adebutu stated. “The dehumanisation of our civil servants and pensioners stops from the first day you put us in office with your votes” .
Support and Endorsements
The event drew notable party figures, including the PDP’s deputy governorship candidate, Dr Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo; the Ogun Central Senatorial candidate, Professor Iyabo Obasanjo; and the Ogun State PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella . The crowd of supporters filled the roads from the PDP Secretariat to the stadium, with overflow crowds competing with motorists .
The deputy governorship candidate declared that it was Adebutu’s turn to govern the state, arguing that the Adebutu family had been supporting and empowering the people of Ogun State for years . Ogun PDP Chairman Abayomi Tella called on the electorate to vote Adebutu, promising that their overwhelming show of support would be reciprocated with the provision of basic social amenities and good governance .
As the party mobilises its structures towards victory in the 2027 governorship election, the PDP campaign will focus on translating its promises into a compelling electoral message for the people of Ogun State .
