The detained former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, was released early Tuesday morning following an invitation and questioning by the Department of State Services (DSS).
His release was confirmed by his media aide, Afolabi Orekoya, in a phone conversation with Channels Television.
The arrest of Adebutu, who was the PDP’s governorship candidate in the 2023 elections in Ogun State, had sparked controversy when the Publicity Secretary of the Ogun PDP, Kayode Adebayo, confirmed that he had been detained by the DSS in the state capital, Abeokuta.
According to Adebayo, Adebutu was questioned in relation to disturbances during the local government elections held the previous Saturday.
A statement issued by the Ogun PDP explained, “This is to inform the members of our great party, The Peoples Democratic Party that the leader of the party has truly been detained by the DSS for charges yet unknown.”
The statement continued, “However, our principal has called for calm and directed that all members of the party, supporters, and well-wishers should be rest assured that this time shall pass, it is one of the prices for our democracy.”
The statement also detailed ongoing efforts to secure Adebutu’s release: “Several efforts have been made to secure his bail as of 10pm on Monday, 18th November, 2024 either on personal recognition or by a surety but none has yielded any result so far; his lawyers have been informed and they will take it up by tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.”
The release concluded, “By this release, we want our people and the general public to be duly informed about his whereabouts and to maintain calm and peace until this matter is resolved.”
After spending several hours in DSS custody, Adebutu was released at around 7 a.m. on Tuesday, 19th November, 2024.
Speaking on his release, he described the allegations against him as “baseless.” In a statement detailing his experience in DSS custody, Adebutu claimed that the accusations were designed to silence him as a prominent opposition voice.
“It was about 7 am, Tuesday, 19th November 2024, I was released by the Department of State Services in Abeokuta following an invitation to answer to various spurious accusations all arising from the November 16 Local Government election in Ogun State,” Adebutu said.
READ ALSO: Ayedatiwa Wins Ondo Governorship Election 2024
He went on to dismiss the allegations, stating, “Very sadly, the allegations were so baseless that it became clear that their purpose was to silence me as a voice of the opposition.”
Adebutu emphasized that his criticism of the local government elections, which he claimed were neither free nor fair, was a fundamental right protected by free speech.
“My contention that those elections were not free and fair is my fundamental right to free speech and free thought,” he said.
The PDP stalwart further argued for the importance of financial autonomy for local governments, noting that such autonomy could only be achieved through free and fair elections.
“My thinking that the Local Government should have financial Autonomy that can only be enforced by free and fair elections is germane to our development. Mr President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, shares the same view as mine which shows it is not a partisan position but a nationalistic one,” he added.
Reflecting on the political climate in Ogun State, Adebutu pointed to what he described as “desperation” to undermine the third tier of government in the state.
“However, because of the particular situation of Ogun State over the last five years which I shall publish shortly, desperation has set in to emasculate the third tier of government completely, this is the struggle for our development,” he stated.
Despite the accusations against him, Adebutu commended the DSS for its professionalism during his detention.
“I seize this opportunity to appreciate our institutions as they gradually continue to grow, I must say I am pleasantly surprised at the professionalism and fairness the Department of State Services has treated this matter to date particularly, during my stay in their office,” he said.
In his statement, Adebutu also acknowledged the role of the judiciary in the case, particularly referencing a court ruling obtained by the PDP in relation to the local government elections.
“I also acknowledge the judiciary for the forthright judgment we were able to obtain from the Ogun State High Court on Friday, 15th November, 2024 in suit AB/784/2024, a suit filed for the purpose of excluding the Peoples Democratic Party from participating in the Local Government elections,” he noted.
Concluding his remarks, Adebutu thanked all stakeholders and well-wishers, as well as those who may not support him, for their role in the democratic process.
“I thank all stakeholders, well-wishers and for that matter none well-wishers because together, we must move the narration forward and arrive at good governance,” he concluded.
Adebutu’s release comes after a tense few days in Ogun State, as both the political and legal developments around the local government elections continue to unfold.
