Speaking during a media parley in Abeokuta on Monday, he said the country had initially gotten the structure of local government right, but lamented that the system became compromised when state governments took over the conduct of local government elections.
According to him, the moment states began to run local government elections, the democratic essence of the third tier of government was lost, as what should have been elections turned into mere selections.
“On the issue of local government autonomy, when I served as a commissioner in the Ogun State Local Government Service Commission, I saw the way local government works. Nigeria got it right.
“From the day states started running elections for local government, there has been no reason for the local government to do well again because we knew it was selection and not election,” he stated.
“Irrespective of parties, all the money that could normally go to the local government were embezzled. We must allow this election to come back through free and fair elections so people will be compelled to leave local government money,” he said.
The PDP governorship candidate maintained that local government funds belong strictly to the third tier of government and should not be tampered with, stressing that direct access to those resources would have a far-reaching impact on poverty alleviation and grassroots transformation.
“Local government money shall come to the local government; it belongs to the third tier of government. Whenever that money goes into the grassroots, if that money goes to the local government, I’m telling you that’s the biggest poverty alleviation,” Adebutu added.
Adebutu also outlined an ambitious agenda centred on security, education, agriculture, rural development and local government autonomy, saying good governance remains the surest path to prosperity and sustainable development.
He said his administration would prioritise the welfare and operational capacity of security agencies, expand rural infrastructure, empower farmers and reform the state’s education system if elected governor.
According to him, insecurity remains the biggest challenge confronting Nigeria and requires deliberate investment in community-based solutions.
Adebutu disclosed that he had personally supported security agencies over the years through the provision of fuel, vehicle repairs and other logistics, stressing that the government must provide the resources necessary for security institutions to function effectively.
The governorship hopeful also advocated improved street lighting across communities, noting that darkness often creates opportunities for criminal activities.
He said “The foremost challenge facing Nigeria today is insecurity. That is why security occupies the first position on our agenda. We cannot build a prosperous society without ensuring the safety of lives and property.
In the last two to three years alone, I have spent nearly N20 million providing solar-powered streetlights in various communities. Under a government committed to good governance, every community should have access to a basic minimum standard of street lighting.
“We will strengthen grassroots governance through greater local government autonomy. Development can only be accelerated when local councils are empowered to address the needs of their communities.
“Security, local government autonomy and accountability are not isolated issues. They are interconnected pillars of good governance,” he said.
On rural development, Adebutu pledged to bridge infrastructure gaps between urban and rural communities through targeted investments in roads, electricity, healthcare and other essential services.
He equally identified agriculture as a major driver of economic growth and employment, particularly for young people, promising programmes that would improve access to affordable financing for farmers and agribusiness entrepreneurs.
Adebutu also called for a comprehensive reform of the education sector, with greater emphasis on vocational training, entrepreneurship and digital literacy.
“A significant percentage of our people live in rural areas. If we provide basic amenities such as electricity, roads, healthcare, education and security, many residents will choose to remain in their communities rather than migrate to overcrowded urban centres.
“I have seen firsthand how agriculture can change lives. One of the biggest obstacles facing farmers and entrepreneurs is access to affordable capital. Our objective is to give hardworking young people a genuine opportunity to succeed”
“We are educating people, but we are not always equipping them with the tools needed to succeed in the real world. Education must go beyond academic qualifications. It should include vocational and technical training, entrepreneurship, digital literacy and practical life skills,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the Ogun Central Senatorial Candidate, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo noted that her vision for Ogun state aligns with that of Adebutu, hence she reconsidered the party.
She said Ogun residents should see the need to vote for PDP in the coming elections, citing the several achievements of Adebutu in the state, despite not being in power.
Among those present at the media parley were: the deputy governorship candidate, Dr Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo; state PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella; House of Representatives candidate for Ijebu Central, Wale Okunbanjo; and Hon. Segun Adekoya, among other party leaders and stakeholders.
