ADEBUTU SEEKS TRADITIONALISTS’ SUPPORT AHEAD OF 2027 OGUN GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Ogun State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ladi Adebutu, has sought the prayers and support of traditionalists and elders in Egbaland ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Adebutu made the appeal on Tuesday when he visited the Oloje traditionalist community in Abeokuta as part of his ongoing engagements with stakeholders across the state.

The PDP candidate, who was accompanied by members of his political team, promised that his administration, if elected, would prioritise accountability, peace, prudent management of public resources and grassroots development.

He also pledged to ensure that funds meant for local governments were released to the councils to promote effective administration and rural development.

“I am assuring the people that if we are supported to be at the helm of affairs in the state in 2027, our government will prioritise accountability and prudent management of our collective resources.

“We shall put the people first and we will deliberately pursue rapid development from the grassroots,” Adebutu said.

The PDP candidate, who described himself as a devoted Christian, said his faith did not prevent him from recognising the contributions of traditional institutions and practitioners to peace, unity and harmony in society.

Speaking at the gathering, the PDP House of Representatives candidate, Toyin Amuzu, urged residents to vote for the party at all levels, citing interventions by PDP members in the community, including the provision of a transformer.

Amuzu lamented what he described as inadequate attention to electricity challenges in parts of Abeokuta and urged residents not to allow election-day inducements to influence their choices.

“Do not let them give us money on election day and ask us to go and cook soup, only for us to suffer for another four years. We will not suffer anymore, by God’s grace,” he said.

Also speaking, the Akinfiwatolu of Egbaland, High Chief Mustapha Adulakeem Owolabi, urged residents to support what he described as a new political movement capable of securing greater representation and attention for Egbaland.

Owolabi also called on voters to reject political manipulation and place the interests of the region at the centre of their decisions ahead of the 2027 election.

“Collect their money and vote for Ladi Adebutu,” he told the gathering, while urging residents to exercise their franchise according to their conscience.

In his remarks, one of the traditional elders, Olawale Akanbi, Ọmọlẹ́gbẹ́, said the Oloje community received Adebutu primarily to offer him prayers and blessings for his political journey.

He described the ballot as the major instrument through which citizens could determine their leaders.

Another elder, Chief Gbenga Adesina, Ojediran Fajegbinro, described Adebutu’s visit as significant because it recognised traditional religion practitioners as stakeholders in the community.

Adesina noted that while political engagements had been held with Christian and Muslim communities, traditionalists had also been recognised as an important part of society.

“They met with the Pastors, and they met with the Imams. And they also recognised the practitioners of the Isese religion. All of us together make up the community,” he said.

Adesina subsequently declared his support for Adebutu, saying traditionalists would support politicians who recognise and engage with them.

“Honourable Ladi Adebutu came to meet us right now, so he is the one we see. All our votes, he is the one we will cast them for,” he said.