LG Funds: Ogun State Dismisses Adebutu’s Allegations Against Governor Abiodun
The Ogun State government has dismissed allegations made by Ladi Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2023 elections, claiming Governor Dapo Abiodun misappropriated local government funds over the past five years.
In a statement issued yesterday by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, the government described Adebutu’s accusations as “the ranting of a drowning man.” The statement further alleged that Adebutu’s claims were an attempt to deflect attention from his ongoing investigation by security agencies for alleged electoral violence and attempted murder.
“Ladi Adebutu’s recent antics are not surprising,” Akinmade said. “He has gained notoriety for making baseless and empty claims that raise questions about his credibility. His allegations against the governor are nothing but a desperate attempt to salvage his public image after his legal and political setbacks.”
The government reiterated that Governor Abiodun is not a signatory to local government accounts and therefore cannot be accused of directly mismanaging council funds. Akinmade dismissed Adebutu’s claims that N214 billion had been squandered as “absurd and unfounded.”
The statement portrayed Adebutu as a “wounded lion” seeking to regain relevance following his defeat at the polls and recent legal challenges. “The people of Ogun State decisively rejected Adebutu at the ballot box, and his baseless accusations cannot undo their verdict,” Akinmade added.
The allegations are part of a broader political dispute in Ogun State, with Adebutu and his supporters persistently challenging the governor’s administration. The state government has consistently denied these claims, emphasizing its commitment to transparency and accountability.
As the controversy continues, all eyes remain on the investigations into Adebutu’s alleged electoral misconduct, which could further shape the political landscape in Ogun State.
