Ladi Adebutu, a former governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, has been released from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS). Adebutu was detained on Monday evening over alleged disturbances during the November 16, 2024, local government elections in which the All Progressives Congress (APC) claimed victory in all seats.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Adebutu confirmed his release and described the allegations against him as baseless and politically motivated.
“At about 7am, Tuesday, 19th November 2024, I was released by the Department of State Services in Abeokuta following an invitation to answer to various spurious accusations all arising from the November 16 local government election in Ogun State,” he stated.
Adebutu criticized the arrest, labeling it an attempt to suppress his opposition to the elections, which he argued were neither free nor fair. “Very sadly, the allegations were so baseless that it became clear that their purpose was to silence me as a voice of the opposition,” he said.
He reiterated his stance on the need for local governments to achieve financial autonomy through transparent and credible elections. Adebutu pointed out that his views align with those of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emphasizing that his position is driven by nationalistic, not partisan, considerations.
“Mr President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, shares the same view as mine which shows it is not a partisan position but a nationalistic one,” Adebutu noted. He also hinted at revealing more details about governance challenges in Ogun State over the last five years.
Adebutu framed his detention as part of a broader effort to suppress opposition and diminish the autonomy of local governments, which he described as critical to Nigeria’s development.
“This is the struggle for our development,” he concluded, pledging to continue advocating for transparent governance and electoral reforms in Ogun State.
