The 2023 governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of harassment and misuse of state resources, urging President Bola Tinubu to intervene. During a media parley in Abeokuta, Adebutu alleged that Governor Abiodun had mismanaged ₦214 billion allocated for local government development over the past five years. He further accused the governor of deploying security agencies to intimidate opposition voices. Adebutu stated: “President Bola Tinubu should call Governor Abiodun to order because the way the governor has conducted himself in the last week, particularly over the local government polls, is quite condemnable. If under a Yoruba presidency, the President will sit and watch his people being killed and maimed for exercising their franchise, it is very sad. “The governor is destroying whatever goodwill is left of the APC in the Southwest. The reason they are pursuing me is because I am advocating for transparency and accountability, and they don’t want the stealing of our patrimony to stop.”Ogun State Government’s Reaction In response, the Ogun State government dismissed Adebutu’s claims as baseless and politically motivated. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, referred to Adebutu’s statements as “the rantings of a drowning man.”Akinmade argued that Governor Abiodun has never misappropriated local government funds, emphasizing that the governor is not a signatory to LG accounts.He added:”It is not shocking that a man rejected by Ogun State voters would resort to falsehoods. Claiming that ₦214 billion meant for local governments was squandered suggests that no salaries were paid, and no projects were executed for five years.”The fact is that Governor Abiodun has never touched a dime of local government funds. Adebutu’s allegations are merely entertainment for his followers. ”Political Tensions Escalate This exchange marks another chapter in the long-standing rivalry between Adebutu and Abiodun. While Adebutu alleges mis-governance and intimidation, the Ogun State government accuses the PDP chieftain of fabricating claims to stay politically relevant. Observers view the heightened tensions as a sign of intensifying political competition in Ogun State, especially as both camps position themselves for future elections.