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November 21, (THEWILL) – The Ogun State Government has dismissed allegations made by Ladi Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 elections, accusing Governor Dapo Abiodun of mismanaging local government funds over the past five years.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Hon. Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, the state government described Adebutu’s claims as the “rantings of a drowning man” aimed at salvaging his reputation amid ongoing investigations into his alleged involvement in electoral violence and attempted murder.
The statement noted that Adebutu’s allegations lacked substance, emphasising that Governor Abiodun is not a signatory to local government accounts and therefore could not have misappropriated the purported N214 billion.
“We are not surprised by Adebutu’s antics. This is a man who has gained notoriety for making baseless claims that call his sanity into question. His recent accusations are nothing but flippant, hollow, and jejune,” the statement read.
The government dismissed the notion that no salaries or projects were undertaken in local councils during Abiodun’s tenure, calling it an absurd fabrication from a candidate who had been “roundly rejected by voters.”
The statement highlighted Adebutu’s ongoing legal challenges, including allegations of vote-buying, conspiracy, and electoral malfeasance during Saturday’s local government polls.
“Ladi Adebutu is a drowning clown who believes he can achieve through rabble-rousing and blackmail what he failed to accomplish through electoral and judicial processes. He has become synonymous with accusations, name-calling, and desperation to remain relevant in the news,” it added.
The government also referenced a circulating video where Adebutu allegedly endorsed the violent change, portraying him as a figure willing to incite chaos to further his political ambitions.
Labeling Adebutu as a “sinking ship,” the statement urged the public to disregard his outbursts.
“He is a man adept at accusations but a complete failure where enterprise, dignity, and discipline are required. His reckless allegations should be ignored by all right-thinking people,” it added.
The Ogun State Government reiterated its commitment to governance and transparency, dismissing Adebutu’s claims as mere distractions from a disgruntled politician facing legal scrutiny.
