Hon. Ladi Adebutu, the 2023 gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, has been released from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) after being detained over alleged security breaches during last Saturday’s local government elections in Ogun State.
Adebutu, who was invited and subsequently detained on Monday, regained his freedom around 7 a.m. on Tuesday. The alleged security breaches reportedly occurred in Iperu, within Ikenne Local Government Area.
In a statement titled “My Experience and Release from the DSS,” which he personally signed, Adebutu criticized his detention, calling the allegations against him baseless. He reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for financial autonomy for local governments, which he believes is key to development.
“At about 7 a.m., Tuesday, 19th November, 2024, I was released by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abeokuta following an invitation to answer to various spurious accusations all arising from the November 16 Local Government election in Ogun State,” Adebutu stated.
The former lawmaker described the allegations as attempts to silence his dissent.
“Very sadly, the allegations were so baseless that it became clear that their purpose was to silence me as a voice of the opposition. My contention that those elections were not free and fair is my fundamental right to free speech and free thought,” he said.
Adebutu highlighted the importance of financial autonomy for local governments and aligned his position with that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating it was a nationalistic, rather than partisan, stance.
Despite his ordeal, Adebutu commended the DSS for their professionalism during his detention and acknowledged the judiciary’s role in upholding democracy.
He referenced a favorable judgment obtained from the Ogun State High Court on November 15, 2024, which addressed efforts to exclude the PDP from participating in the local government elections.
“I thank all stakeholders, well-wishers, and even non-well-wishers because together, we must move the narration forward and arrive at good governance,” Adebutu concluded.
