The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, has publicly endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, describing him as a trustworthy and reliable leader ahead of the 2027 Ogun State governorship election.
The declaration was made on Sunday, July 19, 2026, during a high-profile courtesy visit by Adebutu, his running mate Alhaja Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, and key PDP stakeholders to the Ake Palace in Abeokuta.
Presenting Adebutu to members of the Egba Traditional Council, the monarch praised his character, corporate pedigree, and steady commitment to grassroots public service.
“A Better Version of His Father”
Oba Gbadebo paid glowing tribute to the Adebutu family, highlighting their long-standing legacy of philanthropy and community development across Egbaland and Nigeria.
Sharing a personal story from his time in a Lagos-based Egba social club, the Alake recounted how members were struggling to raise funds to acquire a permanent secretariat opposite the City Hall. He narrated how the PDP candidate’s father, the renowned billionaire philanthropist Sir Kesington Adebutu (Odole Oodua), stood up, told the members to keep their money, and single-handedly financed the building’s purchase.
“I am pleased to present Oladipupo Adebutu to all of you as a man who is trustworthy and reliable… The son of a lion must resemble the lion. In fact, he is an even better version of his father. This step you have taken, by the grace of God, you will never regret. Whoever says there will be no way for you, you will eat their funeral akara.” — Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Alake of Egbaland
The monarch thereafter offered royal blessings and prayers for the success of Adebutu’s second bid for the state’s top executive seat.
Part of a Statewide Stakeholder Consultation
According to the Ogun State PDP Chairman, Hon. Abayomi Tella, the visit to the Egba traditional leadership is part of a broad, non-partisan statewide consultation tour designed to engage senior stakeholders, traditional rulers, and opinion leaders before the official campaign window opens.
Tella used the platform to critique the administrative gaps in the current All Progressives Congress (APC) state government, alleging that local government structures have been financially choked and stripped of their autonomy.
| Adebutu’s 2027 Agendas for Ogun State | Expected Grassroots Outcomes |
| Local Government Autonomy | Restoring direct statutory allocations to the 20 LGAs to drive local rural developments. |
| Traditional Institution Funding | Upgrading palace welfare schemes and recognizing traditional councils in security networking. |
| Grassroots Infrastructure | Prioritizing rural link-roads, local markets, and community-driven agricultural inputs. |
Responding to the royal fathers, Adebutu expressed deep appreciation for the endorsement and prayers. He gave a firm assurance to the Egba Traditional Council that, if elected in 2027, his administration would prioritize a decentralized governance model, giving local governments the direct financial independence required to deliver tangible dividends of democracy to the people.
Ayodele Quadri
Correspondent
