The 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, disclosed that he was recently arrested and detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) due to his objections regarding the conduct of the November 16 local government elections.
In a press conference held on Monday, Adebutu criticized the recent local government elections, stating that the process was neither free nor fair. Shortly after making these remarks, Adebutu was apprehended by the DSS and held overnight.
Adebutu, who was released early Tuesday morning around 7 a.m., described the allegations against him as “baseless” and an attempt to stifle his opposition. Speaking with DAILY POST, he said:
“At about 7 a.m., 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. Very sadly, the allegations were so baseless that it became clear that their purpose was to silence me as a voice of the opposition.”
Adebutu underscored his right to criticize the election process, citing his belief in the necessity of financial autonomy for local governments, a principle he contends can only be upheld through transparent elections. He also pointed out that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu shares his stance, indicating that his position transcends partisan lines and focuses on national development.
“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. Mr. President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, shares the same view as mine which shows it is not a partisan position but a nationalistic one,” he added.
Adebutu also alluded to what he described as a “desperation” to control the third tier of government in Ogun State over the past five years, promising to shed more light on the situation in an upcoming publication. He emphasized that his advocacy is part of a broader struggle for development within the state.
