APC Empowerment Is Vote Buying, Modern Slavery — Mustapha Owolabi

The Deputy Director-General of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Organisation in Ogun State, High Chief Mustapha Abdulakeem Owolabi (MAO), has described the empowerment programmes of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as “vote buying” and “modern slavery” ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Owolabi, who spoke with Business Diary Newspaper Political Editor on the political situation in Ogun State, said the government should focus on creating an enabling environment for citizens to become economically independent rather than distributing money and materials to different groups during election periods.

According to him, what is being presented as empowerment by the APC amounts to returning government resources to citizens in small portions after allegedly depriving them of opportunities to improve their economic circumstances.“What they call empowerment is vote buying during election season.

They are not empowering anybody; they are redistributing government money that they stole,” he alleged.

Owolabi said genuine empowerment should enable people to sustain themselves, stressing that “you teach people how to fish instead of giving them fish.”

He also questioned the source of the funds being distributed to various groups in the state, alleging that the scale of recent disbursements required greater scrutiny.

The PDP chieftain maintained that citizens would be better served by policies capable of creating jobs, supporting businesses and improving access to basic infrastructure than temporary financial interventions.

Adebutu promises local government autonomy Owolabi while talking about his Principal and the PDP governorship candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, would prioritise financial autonomy for local governments if elected governor in 2027.

He accused the current administration of restricting local governments’ access to revenues required to perform their statutory responsibilities.

According to him, local governments should have access to funds accruing to them from the Federation Account, as well as revenues generated from markets, motor parks, garages and other facilities within their jurisdictions.

He said the return of financial autonomy would enable local governments to improve primary healthcare, primary education, rural roads and other grassroots infrastructure.“Honourable Adebutu has put the financial autonomy of local government as one of his cardinal points.

The financial autonomy of local government will be ensured during his administration,” he said.

Owolabi also said the PDP candidate would pursue the creation of additional Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), arguing that doing so would bring governance closer to the people.

‘APC governorship candidates not a threat’ On the 2027 governorship race, Owolabi dismissed the suggestion that the APC’s leading contenders, including Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, posed a threat to Adebutu.

He cited ongoing legal disputes surrounding the APC governorship ticket, saying the final candidate for the party could not yet be taken for granted.“We are not sure that he will even be on the ballot come 2027,” Owolabi said.

He expressed confidence that the PDP would mount a strong challenge across the state, particularly in Ogun Central Senatorial District.

Owolabi, who is also the PDP Deputy Director-General for Ogun Central, said the party was relying on its grassroots structures and the political record of its candidates to secure victory.

He specifically expressed confidence in the candidacy of Senator Iyabo Obasanjo who is contestenting for the position of the Senator at Ogun Central, saying her previous experience in the Senate would help the PDP reconnect with voters in the district.

He predicted that the PDP would win Ogun Central in the 2027 senatorial election and also secure the governorship for Adebutu.

However, he acknowledged that elections could produce unexpected outcomes, saying the party would continue its mobilisation and engagement with voters ahead of the polls.