Daud Olatunji
Former Ogun State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, has alleged attempts to silence him following his detention by the Department of State Services (DSS).
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that Adebutu, who was released on Tuesday, after he was detained by the DSS in Abeokuta shortly after he honoured the invitation on Monday, said the accusations leveled against him were politically motivated and baseless.
Adebutu in a statement he personally signed shortly after he was released from the DSS net on Tuesday said the allegations against him, stemmed from his criticism of the November 16 Local Government elections in Ogun State, which he described as neither free nor fair.
He contended that his stance on the need for financial autonomy for local governments, achievable only through credible elections, aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for national development.
“These allegations were so baseless that it became clear their purpose was to silence me as a voice of the opposition,” Adebutu stated.
“My belief that local governments should enjoy financial autonomy is germane to our development, and it is not a partisan position but a nationalistic one.”
The PDP chieftain further criticized the governance of Ogun State over the past five years, accusing the administration of systematically undermining the autonomy of local government councils.
He pledged to publish a detailed account of his observations soon, adding that his struggle is geared toward the overall development of the state.
Adebutu, however, expressed appreciation for the professionalism exhibited by the DSS during his detention, commending the agency for its fairness in handling the matter.
“I must say I am pleasantly surprised at the professionalism and fairness the Department of State Services has shown, particularly during my stay in their office,” he said.
He also lauded the judiciary for upholding justice, citing a recent ruling by the Ogun State High Court on November 15, 2024, which nullified a suit aimed at excluding the PDP from participating in the local government elections.
Adebutu extended gratitude to stakeholders, supporters, and even critics, emphasizing the collective responsibility to foster good governance.
The DSS had invited Adebutu on Monday, November 18, 2024, in connection with the election-related allegations.
His detention sparked reactions from political observers, with some interpreting it as part of a broader pattern of opposition suppression in Ogun State.
Adebutu’s release and subsequent statement have added a fresh layer of controversy to the already heated discourse surrounding the conduct of local government elections in the state.
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