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From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
Adeoye Adewale Adeniran, also known as A3, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Assembly candidate vying to represent Abeokuta South State Constituency 2 in the Ogun State House of Assembly, has dismissed claims by All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Kayode Oladele that the PDP governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, lacks the managerial competence to govern Ogun.
Adewale, who described the claims as spurious, declared that Adebutu’s educational background, business achievements, public service experience and long-standing commitment to Ogun people remain matters of public record.
According to the House of Assembly hopeful in a statement he personally signed on Sunday, Oladele’s diatribe against Adebutu was a desperate attempt to divert attention from the real issues confronting the state.
Adewale argued that critics of Adebutu had consistently failed to challenge his integrity, credentials, business success or roots in Ogun State, noting that the recent criticism by the former member of the House of Representatives was just a vague and convenient argument about competence.
“Interestingly, those attacking Adebutu have not accused him of corruption. They have not accused him of certificate forgery. They have not accused him of criminal conduct. They have not accused him of abandoning Ogun State. Their argument is simply that he lacks competence.
“Is it building and sustaining successful businesses? Is it managing large organisations and stakeholders? Is it serving effectively in public office? Is it investing in one’s state and creating opportunities for others? If these are the accepted indicators, then Ladi Adebutu’s credentials speak for themselves,” he said.
The PDP Assembly candidate maintained that the 2027 governorship election should not be reduced to a personality contest but should instead focus on who possesses the vision and capacity to move Ogun forward.
“The question before the Ogun people is not who can distribute the most empowerment materials. The real question is who can build an economy where citizens no longer depend on empowerment to survive.
“Empowerment may provide temporary relief, but development creates lasting prosperity. A politician may distribute thousands of items today, but a visionary governor creates an enabling environment where businesses flourish, investments grow and jobs are created. That is the difference between politics and leadership and that is what Adebutu will do. Come to think of it he is spending his hard earned money and if gets into a political position he would do more,” he submitted.
Adewale added that while every Nigerian has the constitutional right to seek public office, citizens equally have the right to assess the history, commitment and connection of aspirants to the state they seek to govern.
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“There is a clear difference between discovering a state as a political destination and calling that state home throughout one’s life. While some politicians discovered Ogun State as a governorship destination, others have always called Ogun State home.
“Ladi Adebutu is not an emergency politician. He did not suddenly remember Ogun State because an election is approaching. He was born into the fabric of the state, has lived among the people, invested in the state, raised his family here and remained actively involved in the welfare of communities across Ogun long before seeking elective office,” he said.
The PDP stalwart further noted that Adebutu’s academic qualifications, business interests and public service record as a former member of the Ogun State Local Government Service Commission and later a member of the House of Representatives are verifiable facts that cannot be erased by political rhetoric.
He challenged those questioning Adebutu’s competence to explain how a man who had successfully managed business concerns, coordinated political structures and sustained community interventions over several years could suddenly be described as incapable of governing a state.
Adewale, therefore, urged Ogun residents to critically assess the realities around them rather than rely on political narratives.
“If the APC’s performance is truly as impressive as its spokespersons claim, why are many Ogun youths still searching for opportunities elsewhere? Why are communities still demanding better roads, improved healthcare, quality education, security and greater economic opportunities?”
Adewale maintained that Adebutu’s growing popularity across Ogun State is not based on sentiment or family background; rather, it is a combination of capacity, compassion and accessibility.
“He is a son of Ogun State who has served in public office, remained among his people, invested in his communities and now seeks to deploy his experience to unlock the enormous potential of our state.
“Leadership is not measured by the loudness of propaganda. It is measured by preparation, character, consistency and the ability to understand the needs of the people. On these indices, Ladi Adebutu stands tall,” Adeoye said in the statement.
The PDP candidate subsequently urged voters to look beyond political noise and carefully examine the records of all aspirants ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
“The Ogun of our dreams will not be built on propaganda or political grandstanding. It will be built on integrity, competence, vision and genuine commitment to the people,” he submitted.
