Ladi Adebutu, the former governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, has been released from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS). The arrest occurred on Monday evening and was linked to alleged disturbances during the local government elections held on November 16, 2024, where the All Progressives Congress (APC) secured all seats.
Adebutu confirmed his release in a statement Tuesday, asserting that the allegations against him were groundless and that the detention was a deliberate attempt to silence his opposition.
In his statement, Adebutu explained, “At around 7 a.m. on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, I was released by the DSS in Abeokuta after being invited to address unfounded accusations related to the November 16 local government election. The claims were so baseless that it was clear their real aim was to stifle my voice as a member of the opposition.”
He continued, “My criticism of the election process and my call for financial autonomy for local governments are well within my rights. A fair election is critical for the development of Ogun State, and it is a perspective shared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, underscoring its national importance.”
Adebutu also noted the current political climate in Ogun State, stating that the desperation to undermine the local government system was part of a broader struggle for the state’s development, which he would elaborate on in a forthcoming publication.
