The Ogun State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Ladi Adebutu, has identified local government autonomy and improved security as critical issues that must be addressed to accelerate development and strengthen governance in Nigeria.
Speaking during a media parley in Abeokuta on Monday, Adebutu said the absence of genuine autonomy for local governments has continued to hamper grassroots development across the country.
According to him, empowering local councils to function independently would enhance accountability, improve service delivery and bring government closer to the people.
Adebutu noted that local governments remain the tier of government closest to the citizens and should be allowed to operate without undue interference to effectively meet the needs of communities.
The former lawmaker also described insecurity as one of the greatest challenges confronting Nigeria, stressing that tackling the menace would be a major focus of his campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said the issues form part of his party’s 12-point agenda designed to address governance deficits and improve the welfare of Nigerians.
“One of the problems bedevilling Nigeria is insecurity and lack of local government autonomy. This and more is part of our party’s 12-point agenda going into the 2027 general elections,” Adebutu said.
He maintained that decentralisation of governance structures would promote development at the grassroots and ensure better accountability in the management of public resources.
Also speaking, former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo called for greater collaboration between government and the private sector to drive sustainable development, noting that trust and accountability remain essential ingredients for national progress.
She further urged citizens and stakeholders to remain actively engaged in the democratic process as the country prepares for another election cycle.
