Oladipupo Adebutu, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, has been released from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) after spending a night under detention. The arrest, which followed his public remarks about alleged irregularities in the recently concluded local government elections, has sparked debates over its timing and intent.
Adebutu was apprehended by DSS operatives on Monday evening, shortly after addressing the press in Abeokuta, Ogun State’s capital. During the briefing, he criticized the conduct of the November 16, 2024, local government elections, claiming that PDP members and supporters faced intimidation and harassment. The DSS accused him of inciting disturbances during the election, a charge Adebutu and his supporters have dismissed as unfounded.
Despite efforts by party leaders and allies to secure his release on Monday night, the former federal lawmaker remained in custody. However, the Ogun State chapter of the PDP reassured the public that Adebutu would be released soon, a promise fulfilled on Tuesday morning.
In a statement issued following his release, Adebutu described his detention as an attempt to stifle his voice as a member of the opposition. He criticized the allegations against him as baseless and politically motivated.
“At about 7 a.m. on Tuesday, November 19, 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,” Adebutu said.
He emphasized that his critique of the local government election process is rooted in his belief in free speech and democratic principles. According to him, the elections were neither free nor fair, undermining the financial and operational autonomy of local governments—a cause he passionately supports.
“My thinking that local governments should have financial autonomy, enforceable through free and fair elections, is essential for our development,” Adebutu stated. He pointed out that this position aligns with the views of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, highlighting its non-partisan, nationalistic relevance.
Adebutu accused the current Ogun State administration of systematically suppressing the independence of the local government system over the past five years. He vowed to provide a detailed account of these alleged misdeeds, promising to publish his findings soon.
“Over the last five years, desperation has set in to emasculate the third tier of government completely. This is the struggle for our development,” he asserted.
The controversy surrounding Adebutu’s arrest has drawn attention to broader concerns about democratic governance in Ogun State. Critics argue that his detention reflects a troubling trend of using state institutions to intimidate political opponents, while supporters of the administration contend that the DSS was acting within its mandate to maintain peace and order.
The Ogun State PDP has pledged to continue advocating for transparency and accountability in local government administration, urging citizens to remain vigilant. Adebutu’s release has been celebrated within the party, with members reaffirming their commitment to challenging any actions perceived as undermining democracy in the state.
