ABEOKUTA — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, has called for the restoration of full local government autonomy across Nigeria, advocating that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be empowered to conduct local government elections to strengthen accountability and grassroots development.
Speaking during a media parley with journalists on Monday, Adebutu argued that Nigeria’s local government system was originally designed to bring governance closer to the people but has been weakened by excessive state control over council administration and elections.
According to him, meaningful national development can only be achieved when local governments operate independently, transparently and are directly accountable to the people they serve.
The former House of Representatives member maintained that many of the deficiencies currently affecting Nigeria’s democratic system could be traced to the period when INEC ceased conducting local government elections.
He noted that the erosion of local government autonomy had contributed to poor service delivery, inadequate infrastructure and underdevelopment at the grassroots, as resources intended for community development were often diverted from their original purposes.
“The flaws we see in our democracy today are particularly emphasised since the time INEC stopped conducting local government elections. The decline began when local government elections became heavily controlled at the state level. Once local governments lost their independence and accountability to the people, their effectiveness diminished.
“We must seek a way where INEC now conducts local government elections and, as such, allow the people to question the running of those councils. When citizens have the right to hold local governments accountable, then you have better performance from the central government and the state government.
“This is not merely my opinion. Even the President has publicly acknowledged concerns about the misuse of resources meant for local governments. The consequences have been severe weakened local institutions, poor service delivery, inadequate infrastructure and limited development at the grassroots level,” he added.
Adebutu stressed that local government autonomy, security and accountability remain interconnected pillars of good governance, insisting that strengthening democratic institutions at the grassroots would create a more equitable and prosperous society.
The PDP chieftain also outlined his broader vision for governance, identifying insecurity as Nigeria’s foremost challenge.
He lamented the poor state of security infrastructure, revealing that he had personally spent resources over the years to support security agencies through fuel supply, vehicle rehabilitation and the installation of solar-powered streetlights in communities.
He disclosed that nearly ₦20 million had been invested in recent years on solar-powered street lighting projects to improve security and reduce criminal activities in underserved communities.
On rural development, Adebutu advocated increased investment in infrastructure, electricity, roads, healthcare and education to reduce rural-urban migration and stimulate economic growth at the grassroots.
He further highlighted agriculture as a key driver of job creation and poverty reduction, citing initiatives he has supported to encourage youth participation in farming and livestock production through access to finance and technical support.
Speaking on education, Adebutu called for reforms that place greater emphasis on vocational training, entrepreneurship, digital literacy and moral instruction. He argued that Nigeria’s education system must equip young people with practical skills relevant to the modern economy rather than focusing solely on academic qualifications.
The PDP governorship candidate also reflected on his personal sacrifices in public service, stating that he had devoted a significant portion of his personal resources to philanthropy, community development and initiatives aimed at empowering citizens.
“Leadership requires connection with the people one serves. For over 30 years, I have chosen to live among my people because service is a calling. My journey has never been about personal comfort; it has always been about impact and leaving society better than I met it,” he said.
Adebutu urged citizens to hold leaders accountable and actively participate in governance, insisting that democracy can only thrive when people have the courage to speak truth to power and demand better governance.
Among those present at the media parley were Ogun Central Senatorial Candidate, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello; Deputy Governorship Candidate, Dr. Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo; Ogun PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella; House of Representatives Candidate for Ijebu Central, Wale Okunbanjo; Hon. Segun Adekoya, and other party leaders.
