Adebutu, Abiodun clash over Ogun’s ‘rising debt profile’

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu; and Governor Dapo Abiodun have “clashed” over what Adebutu described as “disheartening rise” in the state’s debt profile.

Adebutu had accused Abiodun’s government of incurring N86.21bn debt within a year, saying the domestic debt of the state increased by 55.4 per cent between 2021 and 2022 under Abiodun’s watch.

He said this while addressing thousands of supporters and members of the PDP in the state during the official flag off of his campaign in Abeokuta.

Adebutu also unveiled the seven-point agenda of his manifesto which focuses on security, local government autonomy, rural development, healthcare, education, agricultural development and youth development.

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Adebutu said, “The domestic debt profile as recorded by this administration again rose from N155.57bn in 2021 to N241.78bn by June 2022 representing a disheartening 55.4% increase in debt.”

But reacting, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Kunle Somorin, accused the PDP candidate of hallucinating.

He said, “He (Adebutu) is ill-informed and he is merely raking mud and contriving the allegation to call attention to himself, mislead the public and malign a focused, accountable, responsive and responsible promise-keeping administration.

“Governor Abiodun does not engage in frivolous borrowing like Adebutu’s hallucinatory mind conjured.”