The Ogun State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Abayomi Tella, has said the party will restore local government autonomy and strengthen grassroots governance if voted into power in the 2027 governorship election.
Tella said effective governance begins at the local government level, arguing that successive administrations after the PDP failed to empower local councils, thereby weakening service delivery and development across the state.
Speaking on Wednesday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, the PDP chairman said local governments remained the closest tier of government to the people and should be allowed to function independently.
He said, “Any government that does not make the local government administration work can never be a good government because every policy is local. The only government that did that in this state is PDP. Every other one that has come thereafter does not get it right.”
According to him, restoring autonomy to local governments would significantly improve the welfare of residents, especially in the face of the country’s current economic challenges.
“Once you stabilise the local government administration, in this present economy that we are in, everybody is crying everywhere. You have, honestly, I must tell you, talking from experience, stabilised 30 per cent for the people of Ogun State,” Tella said.
He maintained that the PDP remained the credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 election, insisting that the people of Ogun State were ready for a change in government.
“It would be a mere wasting of time talking about the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun. Every individual in Ogun State tells you he did not do well. It’s as simple as that. And the alternative is PDP and we are coming on board,” he stated.
The opposition chairman also criticised Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration, alleging that it had underperformed in critical sectors, including education, infrastructure and rural development.
“In the area of infrastructural development, I will score this government less than 20 per cent. Education, to me, this government is zero. One of the things that this government likes to do is to come into Abeokuta metropolis, paint a school and showcase it with their yellow colour. Ogun State has more rural areas than urban. This government has failed completely in its responsibility to align with the rural dwellers. They are far, far below average,” he said.
Despite his criticism, Tella acknowledged the completion of the Gateway International Airport in Iperu, giving Governor Abiodun credit for completing the project initiated by former Governor Gbenga Daniel.
“I give credit to Otunba Gbenga Daniel for initiating the airport that we now have at Iperu, and I give it to Prince Dapo Abiodun for completing that. At least, he completed that. That is the only area where I would call this government 40 per cent. Every other place is less than 20. To me, this government has performed below expectations,” he added.
Expressing optimism about his party’s chances in the next election, Tella said the PDP had resolved its internal issues and was fully prepared for the 2027 governorship contest.
“The 2027 election is going to be a heavy surprise. I’m not going to let the cat out of the bag, but I’m going to assure you that PDP will clinch victory in the 2027 election in Ogun State. Today, we are united and we are ready for election 2027,” he said.
