Oladipupo Adebutu, the 2027 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, has launched an economic and social development plan called “ITURA DE”. He promised to restore local government independence, improve workers’ welfare, and revive the state’s economy if he wins.
Adebutu made this announcement on Wednesday at the Ake Palace in Abeokuta. This was during the kickoff of the PDP campaign for the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State.
The former federal lawmaker presented his campaign speech titled “A Call to Liberation”. He said the program aims to fight poverty, unemployment, insecurity, and what he called bad governance in the state.
Adebutu claimed the PDP is “the undisputed fortress of the masses.” He added that the party aims to deliver real benefits of democracy to the people.
He stated, “Delivering true, tangible dividends of democracy is not merely our political mission; it is our unbreakable covenant with the people of Ogun State.”
He pointed out that the PDP administration from 2003 to 2011 supported grassroots development. This included functional local governments, payment of workers’ salaries, pensions, and cooperative contributions.
However, he described the years since 2011 as “15 unbroken years” of hardship. He blamed poor management and corruption for this situation.
Adebutu promised that his administration would change this through the ITURA DE agenda, which he called the plan for his government.
He mentioned seven priority areas for his government: security and law enforcement, true local government financial independence, and workers’ welfare. Others include urban and regional development, physical planning and transportation, rural and border community development, agricultural, economic and industrial development, and improvement of education, healthcare, and social services.
He explained that the agenda is based on five main programs. These include developing strategic infrastructure, supporting entrepreneurship, enhancing economic resilience, ensuring strong communities, and promoting accountability in governance.
Adebutu promised to tackle insecurity by protecting farms, highways, and communities. He also promised to guarantee the freedom of political association.
“In the seven-plus years of this administration, it is on record that the debt acquired has surpassed the total debt of the state prior to the advent of the administration.”
“With ITURA DE programs, the seven cardinal pillars are designed to systematically eradicate entrenched poverty and restore power to the good people of Ogun State.”
He added, “We shall dismantle the architecture of fear, aggressively securing every farm, highway, and neighborhood from lawlessness and also guarantee total freedom of choice of political leaning as a dividend of true democracy.”
Adebutu assured voters that their livelihoods would not be affected by their political views. He believes that prosperity grows when institutions are strong and citizens can conduct their business without fear.
He promised to free local government councils from financial control, giving administrative power and resources back to the communities. He believes true financial independence for local governments will create more opportunities for development.
“Uppermost in our hearts shall be workers’ welfare. The dehumanisation of our civil servants and pensioners stops from the first day you put us in office with your votes.”
He acknowledged that many retirees since July 2, 2025, have not received their pensions and gratuities. He promised immediate payment of all withheld gratuities and a reform of the current pension scheme.
He said, “A worker facing retirement without pension cannot and should not be expected to be efficient or corruption-free, knowing fully well he or she is about to go home with zero revenue after active service to the state.”
Adebutu plans to focus on public-private partnerships. He will emphasize agricultural training and vocational skills to help young people become successful entrepreneurs.
He promised that farmers would receive support to make farming profitable, including zero-interest loans and help from the Bank of Industry with low-interest rates. Improving rural infrastructure will also boost agriculture and job creation.
He wants to review the heavy taxes that burden market traders and small business owners. He aims to reduce government interference and make it easier to start businesses.
He concluded with a promise to Ogun State: “Ogun State is the hallowed land of historical titans. We shall never again surrender our sacred heritage to political mercenaries or transient tourists who are totally blind to our tears.”
For over 31 years, Adebutu has been deeply connected to Ogun State. He said, “I have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with you, creating jobs and fighting for our collective progress. My stake in our shared destiny is total, permanent and absolute.”
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