Ladi Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) 2023 governorship candidate in Ogun State, has been released by the Department of State Services (DSS) after a brief detention.
Adebutu’s arrest was linked to his public objection to the conduct of the November 16 local government elections, which he deemed “not free and fair” during a press conference on Monday.
Adebutu recounted his experience, saying, “At about 7am, Tuesday, 19th November 2024, I was released by the Department of State Services, DSS, in Abeokuta following an invitation to answer to various spurious accusations all arising from the November 16 Local Government election in Ogun State.” He described the allegations as baseless, aimed at silencing him as a voice of the opposition.
Adebutu reaffirmed his stance on the elections, emphasizing his fundamental right to free speech and thought. “My contention that those elections were not free and fair… My thinking that the Local Government should have financial Autonomy that can only be enforced by free and fair elections is germane to our development.” Notably, Adebutu mentioned that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu shares his view on local government financial autonomy, framing it as a nationalistic rather than partisan position.
Adebutu hinted at a broader issue in Ogun State, stating, “desperation has set in to emasculate the third tier of government completely, this is the struggle for our development.” He promised to publish more information on the state’s situation in the near future.
Adebutu’s release has sparked relief among supporters, while his unwavering stance on the elections has ignited further debate on the state of democracy in Ogun State.
