…Promises LG autonomy, workers’ welfare, security, jobs, better healthcare, education
Daud Olatunji
The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ogun State for the 2027 election, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, has unveiled a seven-point development agenda tagged “ITURA DE”, promising to revive the state’s economy, restore local government autonomy and improve the welfare of workers and pensioners if elected.
Adebutu, who unveiled the agenda on Wednesday during the flag-off of his 2027 governorship campaign in Ogun State, said the programme was designed to tackle poverty, unemployment, infrastructure deficits and what he described as poor governance in the state.
The PDP candidate declared that the party would seek to return what he called “true, tangible dividends of democracy” to residents of the state, while drawing a contrast between the present administration and the PDP government that governed Ogun between 2003 and 2011.
According to him, the state experienced stronger grassroots development, payment of workers’ entitlements and greater local government functionality during the period.
Adebutu said, “We must summon the memory of our golden epoch—the prosperous years of 2003 to 2011—when our local governments breathed with absolute vitality and functional autonomy.”
He alleged that Ogun residents had endured “15 unbroken years” of hardship, neglect and economic difficulties since 2011, attributing the situation to what he described as maladministration and corruption.
The candidate promised that the PDP, if returned to power in 2027, would introduce what he described as a comprehensive economic and governance reform programme under the ITURA DE agenda.
The seven focal areas of the programme are Improved Security, Law and Order; True Local Government Financial Autonomy and Workers’ Welfare; Urban and Regional Development, Physical Planning and Transportation; 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.
Adebutu said his administration would prioritise security by protecting farms, highways and communities against criminal activities while guaranteeing citizens the freedom to support political parties of their choice without intimidation or discrimination.
On local government administration, the PDP candidate promised to grant councils greater financial and administrative autonomy, arguing that doing so would create additional centres of development across the state.
He said the proposed reform would draw from what he described as the success of the administration of former Governor Gbenga Daniel between 2003 and 2011.
Adebutu also placed workers’ welfare at the centre of his campaign promises, vowing to address outstanding pensions and gratuities owed to retired civil servants.
He particularly alleged that workers who retired from July 2, 2025, had been denied their pensions and gratuities.
The PDP candidate promised an immediate review of the state’s Contributory Pension Scheme and payment of what he described as withheld gratuities if elected.
He argued that workers approaching retirement without confidence in their post-service welfare could become vulnerable to corruption.
Adebutu said his administration would deploy Public-Private Partnerships to fund major infrastructure projects, thereby freeing government resources for healthcare, education and other social services.
He also promised to expand agricultural and vocational training, provide farmers with access to zero-interest loans and facilitate access to single-digit-interest interventions such as those provided through the Bank of Industry.
According to him, investments in rural infrastructure would also be used to make agriculture more productive and profitable while creating employment opportunities for young people.
He further promised to review what he described as “predatory structures of double taxation” affecting traders, market women and small business owners.
He said his administration would make ease of doing business a priority by restructuring government processes and removing taxes and regulations that discourage investment.
Adebutu also raised concerns about Ogun State’s debt profile, alleging that the debt accumulated under the present administration had surpassed the state’s total debt before the administration assumed office.
He did not provide figures in his address to substantiate the claim.
The PDP candidate also alleged irregularities in the state’s budget implementation and government contracts, describing what he claimed to have uncovered as evidence of possible corruption.
Adebutu said he was currently verifying the information before making what he described as “remarkable revelations.”
He alleged that some companies doing business with government were registered without proper identification of their directors, while some company accounts were allegedly not linked to Bank Verification Numbers and, in some cases, involved non-existent persons.
He said he would publish the details after completing the verification process.
Adebutu, who contested the 2023 governorship election on the PDP platform, appealed to Ogun residents to support the party in 2027, describing the election as a choice between continued hardship and what he called “liberation.”
He also sought to reassure residents that his long-standing economic and business interests in Ogun State would motivate him to pursue policies beneficial to the people.
“My roots, my wealth, my enterprises, and my sweat have been irreversibly planted in the soil of Ogun State. I have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with you, creating jobs and fighting for our collective progress,” he said.
Adebutu concluded by urging residents to vote for the PDP, declaring that such a vote would amount to a vote for the ITURA DE agenda.
“The hour of our liberation has finally come,” he declared.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
