Ladi Adebutu, the former Ogun State governorship candidate for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has strongly rejected the accusations made against him by the Department of State Services (DSS), calling them “groundless” and asserting that his detention was a deliberate attempt to suppress opposition voices. The statement came shortly after his release from DSS custody in Abeokuta early on the morning of Tuesday, November 19.
Adebutu explained that his detention stemmed from what he described as baseless allegations related to the November 16 Local Government elections. “I was released by the DSS on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, after being invited over unfounded accusations surrounding the elections,” he said.
The politician was arrested the day after the elections, which he has openly criticized as neither free nor fair. According to Adebutu, the charges against him were part of a broader effort to undermine his right to free speech and silence his public denunciation of the irregularities he observed in the local government polls. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of elections, arguing that fair and transparent local government elections are essential for the development of any region.
“Local government autonomy is a crucial issue,” Adebutu stated, stressing that credible elections are vital for progress. He also pointed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s stance on local government autonomy, noting that the president’s position on this issue is a national concern, rather than a partisan one. “Mr. President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, shares my belief in the importance of local government autonomy, which should transcend political lines and be viewed as a national priority,” Adebutu remarked.
Furthermore, Adebutu pointed to what he described as a worrying trend in Ogun State’s governance, suggesting that there was a deliberate effort to diminish the power of local governments. “There is a growing desperation to completely neutralize the third tier of government,” he said, framing this struggle as critical for the state’s development.
Despite the hardship he endured during his detention, Adebutu was quick to praise the DSS for their professionalism. “I am pleasantly surprised by the fairness and diligence shown by the DSS in handling this matter,” he noted, acknowledging that, in spite of the circumstances, he was treated with respect during his time in custody.
In addition to his criticism of the election process, Adebutu referred to a recent ruling by the Ogun State High Court, which favored the PDP’s participation in the local government elections. He hailed this as a significant victory for justice, reinforcing his message that the fight for fair governance continues.
Adebutu also expressed gratitude to his supporters, as well as his critics, thanking them for their roles in bringing attention to the issues surrounding the election. He called for a united effort to push for better governance in the state. “We must all come together to move the narrative forward and work towards achieving good governance,” he concluded.
As of now, the DSS has yet to release an official statement addressing the accusations or Adebutu’s remarks regarding his detention.
