Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu Released by DSS, Speaks on Ogun Local Government Elections
Abeokuta, Ogun State – Hon. (Dr.) Oladipupo O. Adebutu, former member of the House of Representatives and gubernatorial flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, has been released by the Department of State Services (DSS) after being invited for questioning regarding allegations stemming from the November 16 Local Government Elections.
Dr. Adebutu, who was released on Tuesday morning, described the allegations as baseless and an attempt to suppress his voice as a prominent opposition figure in Ogun State. He stated, “My contention that those elections were not free and fair is my fundamental right to free speech and thought. Local Governments should have financial autonomy, enforced only by free and fair elections—a stance that aligns with the position of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.”
The PDP gubernatorial candidate expressed concern over the state of governance in Ogun, emphasizing the importance of strengthening democracy at the grassroots level. According to him, recent events point to a systematic effort to weaken the third tier of government. He pledged to continue advocating for reforms to ensure financial independence and better governance at the local government level.
Dr. Adebutu commended the professionalism exhibited by the DSS during his stay, describing their handling of the matter as fair and balanced. He also lauded the judiciary for its recent ruling in favor of the PDP, which allowed the party to participate in the November 16 Local Government Elections. The case, filed under suit number AB/784/2024, challenged the exclusion of the PDP from the polls.
He concluded by thanking supporters and stakeholders, adding, “Together, we must move the narration forward and arrive at good governance.”
The November 16 elections have been widely contested in Ogun State, with opposition parties, including the PDP, raising concerns about the fairness of the process. Dr. Adebutu’s release and subsequent statements are expected to fuel ongoing debates about the state of democracy and governance in the state.
