Its no longer news that Hon. Ladi Adebutu of the House of Representatives is running for Ogun governorship come 2019. We can reveal that to you authoritatively. We can also reveal that he has been working on it for the past 18 months.
But over the last 2 months he has intensified his efforts at reaching out to stakeholders in the state. Not only that, his father, Sir Kensington Adebutu, has joined his shuttle diplomacy. He has also been on the road reaching out to the elders both in the party and in APC. The good thing is that his dad is close to all the power brokers in the state like ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, who remains a strong influence, the incumbent governor, Senator Amosun, the Awujale of Ijebuland, former governor OGD. He has sold his sons candidacy to them. Sir Keshington Adebutu wants his son to be the next Ogun Governor.
City People can authoritatively reveal his game plan: (1) to consolidate his hold on the structure of the party machinary in Ogun State. He has taken over the party machinery from the Buruji group (2) to play within the mainstream of the party at the national level, under the Maikafi led Exco which is also considering a merger with other political parties to form a mega party.
And a meeting to that effect was recently held in Abuja with all critical stakeholders in PDP all over the country, past governors, ministers, serving governors and lawmakers in attendance.
The Sikirulai led exco attended, while Buruji’s Bayo Dayo led Exco were excused.
Ladi believes if he emerges the front runner in the PDP with an OGD structure behind him, he will be able to have the first stake in any negotiations within a bigger political party.
To ensure that his candidacy is accepted, he plans to come out to run from Odogbolu, his mum’s home town and not Iperu remo, his dads’ hometown.
His mum is a Princess from Odogbolu.
The sentiment right now is for an Ijebu governor. The last time it went to Ogun East. It was Remo that produced it. (OGD is from Sagamu) And Iperu is also Remo, just like Sagamu. This will weaken his chances because politics runs on such local, narrow and parochial sentiments.
Lets tell you more about this rugged politician who has been in it for decades. Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu is a member of the House of Reps, representing Remo Federal Constituency. He is the son of popular businessman, Chief Kessington Adebutu popularly called Baba Ijebu. Ladi was honoured last year in Lagos by City People.
He is one of the active members in the House of Reps. He was honoured at the 19th City People Awards For Excellence last year as the House 0f Reps Members of the Year.
But he does not make noise about his activities.
He believes his work at the lower legislative chamber in Abuja will speak for him. Even when he is asked to tell the whole world a little about what he has done in Abuja, he is usually reticent. His favourite reply is let them find out. That is why the achievements of this man, who represents Ikenne, Sagamu and Remo North Federal Constituency are unknown to many. Only few know that Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu has sponsored several motions on the floor of the House, calling attention to some critical areas where legislative and executive actions are required.
For instance, he raised the pertinent matter of the Sagamu-Ogijo-Mosimi-Ikorodu road, a 23 km Federal Highway linking Ogun and Lagos states which hosts several economically strategic installations such as the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC). The highway is a major distribution route for petroleum products to various parts of the country, but its abysmal state, poses grave danger to lives and property. He has also highlighted the structural challenges relating to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway and their negative impact on motorists, pedestrians and host communities alike.
He called for relevant repairs and pedestrian bridges to be constructed along the routes to increase safety for all road users.
Hon. Adebutu has consistently championed issues of safety on Nigeria’s major highways and said that he would like to see an improvement in their condition as a way of reducing the high incidence of injuries and fatal road crashes.
As Chairman of the House Committee on Rural Development, Adebutu regularly speaks on behalf of rural dwellers that form a large percentage of the population and are responsible for food production in Nigeria. He stressed the need to develop a new approach towards Rural Integrated Development in Nigeria.
To add weight to his views on this, he sponsored a motion urging the Federal Government to give due attention to the rural populace by accommodating their needs in Budgets and National Planning. As a member of several House committees such as National Planning and Economic Development, Local Content, Basic Education Services, and Urban Development and Regional Planning, he makes regular contributions to discussions and fully participated in strategizing on oversight activities for Ministries, Deports, and agencies.
During the House debates on the 2016 Budget proposals, Hon. Adebutu made a robust contribution on the floor of the House calling for effecting necessary change that would improve on living standard in rural areas.
Agriculture is also an area of interest to him. During a recent media party in Abuja, he observed that Nigeria must now, as matter urgency, adopt wholesale agribusiness as a strategy to earn revenue from processed agricultural exports.
Hon. Adebutu has also translated his concepts for good governance into several empowerments and welfare schemes for members of his constituency. These range from skills acquisition programmes, community development projects to trade establishment and scholarship schemes.
– Seye Kehinde
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