The 2027 Ogun governorship race is beginning to take a new turn, with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Ladi Adebutu, securing the backing of traditionalists in Egbaland.
Adebutu received the support during a visit to the Oloje traditionalist community in Abeokuta, where he sought prayers and blessings ahead of the election.
The former House of Representatives member used the visit to woo the traditionalists with promises of greater grassroots development, accountability and financial autonomy for Ogun State’s 20 local government areas.
Adebutu assured the gathering that, if elected governor in 2027, his administration would ensure that funds meant for the councils were released to them for direct development of their communities.
He said his government would put the people first and pursue rapid development from the grassroots.
“We shall ensure that the funds meant for each local government are released to the councils for effective administration and rural development,” Adebutu said.
The PDP candidate, who described himself as a committed Christian, said his faith did not prevent him from recognising the important role played by traditional institutions and practitioners in maintaining peace and unity.
His visit came as political activities ahead of the 2027 Ogun governorship election continue to gather steam, with major parties already positioning themselves for a fiercely contested race.
Adebutu was the PDP candidate in the 2023 governorship election and has emerged as the party’s standard-bearer again for 2027.
At the Oloje gathering, PDP House of Representatives candidate, Toyin Amuzu, also canvassed support for the party, urging residents to vote for PDP candidates at all levels.
Amuzu cited the provision of a transformer to the community as one of the interventions facilitated by PDP members, while lamenting the electricity challenges confronting some communities in Abeokuta.
He also warned voters against allowing election-day cash gifts to determine their choices.
“Do not let them give us money on election day and ask us to go and cook soup, only for us to suffer for another four years. We will not suffer anymore, by God’s grace,” he said.
Also throwing his weight behind Adebutu, the Akinfiwatolu of Egbaland, High Chief Mustapha Adulakeem Owolabi, urged residents to support what he described as a political movement capable of giving Egbaland greater attention.
Owolabi told the gathering to collect whatever money politicians offered during the election but vote according to their conscience.
“Collect their money and vote for Ladi Adebutu,” he said.
The traditionalist community appeared to respond positively to Adebutu’s outreach.
One of the elders, Olawale Akanbi, Ọmọlẹ́gbẹ́, said the community’s primary purpose for receiving Adebutu was to pray for him and bless his political journey.
Another elder, Chief Gbenga Adesina, Ojediran Fajegbinro, described the visit as an important recognition of traditional religion practitioners as stakeholders in society.
Adesina noted that political leaders regularly engaged Christian and Muslim communities and said traditionalists should equally be recognised and consulted.
He subsequently declared the community’s support for Adebutu.
“It is whoever comes to seek us out that we will support. Honourable Ladi Adebutu came to meet us right now, so he is the one we see. All our votes, he is the one we will cast them for,” he said.
The endorsement gives Adebutu another constituency to court as he attempts to strengthen his grassroots support ahead of the 2027 election.
His promise of local government autonomy could also become a major campaign issue, particularly as debates over the financial independence of Nigeria’s councils continue to dominate political discourse.
For Adebutu, however, the immediate task is to turn the prayers, endorsements and promises gathered during his grassroots tour into actual votes when Ogun residents head to the polls in 2027.
