Daud Olatunji
The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has promised to establish a Border Communities Development Commission if elected governor in the 2027 governorship election.
Adebutu made the pledge on Thursday during the flag-off of the PDP governorship campaign in Ogun West at Ipokia, where party members and supporters gathered for the campaign event.
The PDP candidate said the proposed commission would focus on addressing what he described as years of neglect of communities along Ogun’s border corridors, particularly in the provision of roads, potable water, healthcare and other basic infrastructure.
Adebutu said his journey to the campaign venue exposed him to the condition of roads and infrastructure in Ipokia, which he described as unacceptable.
He stated, “I stand here in Ipokia today to make a promise to establish a border development commission. Enough of abandonment.”
He added, “For too long, our people who trade across the border and even grassroots residents have been left behind. No access roads, no potable water, no health centre and other social amenities. That ends when we take over government. We shall give dedicated attention and development to border communities.”
Beyond the border communities, Adebutu pledged to implement what he described as full local government autonomy, including direct access to funds meant for grassroots development.
He said local government development payments would be restored to enable councils to address infrastructure and social needs in rural communities.
The pledge is consistent with a position Adebutu has previously outlined as part of his campaign agenda, which places local government financial autonomy among its major priorities.
He also promised a governance system based on transparency and accountability, saying public resources must translate into tangible benefits for residents.
The PDP candidate also turned his attention to workers and pensioners, promising regular payment of pensions and the settlement of outstanding obligations owed to workers if elected.
He condemned what he described as irregularities and fraud in cooperative deductions, promising to strengthen accountability and end practices that, according to him, deprive workers of their earnings.
Adebutu also expressed concern over hunger and what he described as infrastructural decay across communities, saying residents had appealed to him to provide relief if elected.
The PDP candidate further alleged that funds earmarked for grassroots empowerment had been misappropriated.
Adebutu claimed that while ₦5bn was allocated in 2023 and ₦10bn in 2024, as much as ₦1.8tn meant for empowerment at the grassroots was allegedly misappropriated over four years.
The allegation was not independently substantiated in the material made available for the campaign report, and Adebutu did not provide details at the event identifying the specific allocations, programmes or officials involved.
He also urged voters to reject vote-buying, arguing that monetary inducements should not determine their decisions at the 2027 elections.
“This is election season. Those who failed to improve your condition will come out again to make empty promises. They would even offer you money. Do not listen to them. Do not let greed decide your future. Come out and vote, because every vote counts,” he said.
The promises formed part of Adebutu’s broader “ITURA DE” campaign agenda, which includes local government autonomy, workers’ welfare and rural and border communities development. The agenda was unveiled as his development framework for Ogun ahead of the 2027 election.
