The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, on Wednesday, flagged off his campaign for the 2027 general elections with a pledge to restore people-centric governance, help create prosperity and put the state on the path of good governance if elected.
Adebutu, who noted that the state remained a hallowed land of historical titans, vowed not to surrender its sacred heritage to those he described as “political mercenaries or transient tourists who are totally blind to our tears.”
The PDP standard bearer made the pledge while addressing thousands of party supporters at the campaign flag-off held at the Ake Pavilion, Abeokuta, where he also unveiled a seven-point development agenda tagged “ITURA DE.”
Adebutu, who was accompanied by his running mate, Yemi Showunmi-Kolapo, and House of Assembly candidates, asserted that the state had experienced regression in the last 15 years and its people subjected to suffocating hardship, unparalleled neglect, and economic strangulation.
He said his development agenda would liberate the state’s local government areas from financial bondage and systematically eradicate entrenched poverty.
He also promised to review the predatory structures of double taxation currently choking market men and women as well as small business owners in the state.
Adebutu said, “Our master plan for total socio-economic liberation is enshrined in our commitment to deliver good governance, quality service to the people and share a pedigree of prosperity through the implementation of five key cardinal programmes namely: Building Strategic State Infrastructure, Entrepreneurial Development of our people and workforce, steering a strong and resilient economy, stimulate functional and livable communities; ensuring accountability, transparency and a corruption-free work environment.”
“These five cardinal programmes are well structured in our seven key focal points which acronym formed our mantra ITURA DE. With ITURA DE programmes, the seven cardinal pillars are designed to systematically eradicate entrenched poverty and restore power to the good people of Ogun State.”
“We shall also liberate our Local Government Councils from financial bondage, returning sovereign administrative power and resources directly to your communities. True financial autonomy for our Local Governments will create additional twenty nodes of development.”
The PDP candidate said the welfare of workers was uppermost in his heart, stressing that his administration would address issues bordering on pensions, gratuities and other challenges confronting them as well as pensioners.
“The dehumanization of our civil servants and pensioners stops from the first day you put us in office with your votes,” he promised, adding that he would overhaul “the oppressive Contributory Pension Scheme” in the state.
He also promised to deploy Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to finance major infrastructure projects, noting that the arrangement would reduce pressure on government finances and free up resources for education, healthcare and other social services.
Adebutu said his administration would place agriculture and vocational training at the centre of its youth empowerment and economic development strategy.
He further said, “The PDP remains the undisputed fortress of the masses, fiercely and uncompromisingly dedicated to the people. Delivering true, tangible dividends of democracy is not merely our political mission; it is our unbreakable covenant with the people of Ogun State.
“History stands as our irrefutable witness: under the PDP, human dignity, monumental infrastructural development, and the sacred welfare of the citizenry were unconditionally elevated above all else.”
“On my honor, I, Hon. Oladipupo Olatunde Adebutu, solemnly swear to resurrect the glorious, people-centric governance of the Peoples Democratic Party. We will take back our state, help create prosperity and be devoid of the corruption stifling our progress,” he submitted.
Also speaking, Showunmi-Kolapo expressed excitement that party supporters and residents defied the rains to identify with her and Adebutu.
The PDP deputy governorship candidate assured that the people of the state would bid farewell to poverty and maladministration once the PDP takes over the reins of government.
Earlier in his remarks, the Ogun PDP Chairman, Hon. Abayomi Tella, appealed to voters to support Adebutu, stressing that their support would be reciprocated with basic social amenities and good governance.
