Ogun State’s 2027 governorship race has officially entered another gear as Peoples Democratic Party candidate Oladipupo Adebutu flags off his campaign with a promise to deliver what he calls “ITURA DE” — a programme built around economic revival, workers’ welfare, security and, most notably, local government autonomy. The campaign launch took place at the Ake Palace, Abeokuta, where Adebutu presented his “A Call to Liberation” message to supporters.
In the language of Nigerian politics, this means the campaign season has begun serving its traditional menu: big promises, bigger expectations and enough political vocabulary to keep citizens busy until election day. But behind the satire is a serious issue: Adebutu is making local government financial independence a central part of his 2027 pitch at a time when the implementation of local-government autonomy remains a national political and constitutional controversy.
ITURA DE Arrives With Seven Promises and One Very Familiar Political Ingredient
Adebutu’s ITURA DE blueprint contains seven priority areas, including security, local government financial autonomy, workers’ welfare, infrastructure, rural development, agriculture, industrial development, youth and women empowerment, education, healthcare and social services. He also proposed programmes around infrastructure, entrepreneurship, economic resilience, functional communities and accountability.
The satirical part is that Nigerian campaign promises have long had a special talent for arriving in perfect condition — beautifully packaged, loudly announced and desperately waiting for election day to determine whether the wrapping contains real policy or another political surprise. Adebutu, however, is putting particular emphasis on local government autonomy, promising to return administrative power and resources to Ogun’s 20 councils and arguing that empowered councils could become additional centres of development.
Adebutu Wants the Councils Free, Workers Paid and Businesses Breathing Again
Adebutu also promised stronger security for farms, highways and communities, improved workers’ welfare, payment of withheld gratuities, pension reforms, agricultural support, vocational training and measures to reduce what he described as burdensome taxation on businesses. He said his proposed administration would also provide farmers with access to zero-interest loans and other financing opportunities while improving rural infrastructure.
His local-government promise is particularly significant because it lands in the middle of an unresolved national debate. The Supreme Court ruled in July 2024 that local governments should receive and manage their funds directly and that state governments could not lawfully retain money meant for democratically elected councils. Yet reports in 2026 indicate that implementation remains uneven, with state governments still exercising substantial influence over council finances and administration.
Adebutu therefore enters the 2027 contest with a message that combines economic rescue, political freedom and grassroots autonomy. Whether Ogun voters eventually see ITURA DE as a genuine roadmap or another beautifully decorated campaign suitcase will be decided by the electorate. For now, the promises are on the table, the campaign has started and the political temperature in Ogun is rising. Readers should watch OGM News NG for future updates as the 2027 Ogun governorship battle develops
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