The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, has publicly endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, ahead of the 2027 Ogun State governorship election.

The endorsement came when Mr Adebutu and members of his campaign team paid a visit to the Egba Traditional Council to seek the blessings of the royal fathers for his governorship ambition.

Speaking during the meeting, Oba Gbadebo alongside the Egba Traditional Council, described the Adebutu family as one with a longstanding legacy of generosity and commitment to the development of Egbaland.

He recalled the contributions of the PDP candidate’s father, Chief Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu, narrating how members of an Egba association struggled to acquire a permanent secretariat in Lagos State after identifying a building opposite the City Hall for purchase.

According to him, while members were making financial contributions towards acquiring the property, Mr Adebutu asked them to keep their money and personally paid for the building.

Mr Gbadebo thereafter offered prayers for the PDP candidate and publicly endorsed his governorship ambition before members of the Egba Traditional Council.

“Eventually, we found a building opposite the City Hall in Lagos and negotiated to purchase it. As members began contributing towards the cost, Baba Adebutu stood up and told us to keep the money we had contributed.

“He single-handedly paid for the building. That is the father of Oladipupo Adebutu. This step you have taken, by the grace of God, you will never regret. Whoever says there will be no way for you, you will eat their funeral akara.

“Once again, I warmly welcome you, and I pray that you will never regret embarking on this journey,” the monarch said.

In his response, Mr Adebutu appreciated the royal fathers for their endorsement and prayers, assuring them that, if elected in 2027, his administration would strengthen grassroots governance by granting full financial autonomy to local governments.

MrAdebutu, accompanied by his running mate, Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo, said financial independence for local government councils would accelerate development at the grassroots and improve service delivery across Ogun State.

The PDP flagbearer also insisted that governments must adopt innovative approaches to infrastructure development instead of relying solely on borrowing.

“You don’t borrow money for infrastructure anymore. I will construct roads that will improve connectivity between Ogun state and Lagos states.

“For electricity, we will pursue a strong partnership between the government and the private sector. Once we generate adequate electricity, you will see the income of our people increase while the cost of energy comes down,” he said.

Speaking further, Mr Adebutu accused successive administrations of denying local governments the financial independence needed to drive development.

“This is not about political parties. Whether APC or PDP, governors have continued to control local government allocations instead of allowing the councils to function independently.

“That must change because grassroots development begins with empowered local governments,” he said.

He argued that local councils delivered more meaningful development when they had direct access to their allocations and worked closely with traditional institutions.

He further pledged to build an inclusive administration that would prioritise the welfare of the people.

(NAN)