All governors divert LG funds, says Adebutu, vows full council autonomy if elected

Oladipupo Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Ogun State, Nigeria, has leveled a serious accusation against serving governors, claiming they are systematically diverting funds allocated to local governments. Adebutu made these remarks during a meeting with the Egba Traditional Council in Abeokuta, where he sought the endorsement of traditional rulers for his gubernatorial bid.

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I will do something that will stun this nation and put us in the right direction. Local governments shall get their own money.

Adebutu declared that granting financial autonomy to local governments would be a central pillar of his administration. He asserted that these councils must have direct access to their statutory allocations to foster development. "Local governments shall get their own money," he promised, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring their financial independence. He further stated that local councils experienced greater developmental strides when they were financially autonomous and involved traditional rulers in their projects.

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We must make sure we get local government autonomy. I have been reiterating it to you that I, Oladipupo Olatunde Adebutu, was at the National Assembly twice and I can boast that I didn’t embezzle public funds. How many politicians can say this?

Addressing the alleged diversion of funds, Adebutu claimed the practice transcends political party lines, implicating governors from both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the PDP. "It's not a party thing. Both APC and PDP, all the governors are embezzling local government allocations. It's not a secret," he declared. He contrasted this with his own record, stating he had served in the National Assembly twice without embezzling public funds.

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It’s not a party thing. Both APC and PDP, all the governors are embezzling local government allocations. It’s not a secret.

Beyond local government autonomy, Adebutu outlined his vision for infrastructure development, advocating for alternative financing models to reduce reliance on excessive borrowing. He pledged to improve connectivity between Ogun and Lagos states through road construction. Additionally, he plans to prioritize electricity supply by fostering public-private partnerships, believing that enhanced power availability will boost productivity, lower business costs, and create employment opportunities.

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When the PDP was in power and local governments were getting their funds, there were developments, and they carried monarchs along in the scheme of things.