ABEOKUTA — The gubernatorial candidate of People Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu has stated that the Nigerian society is not ripe yet for the idea of state police on combating insecurity.
Adebutu stated this while engaging members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun state council at Park Inn Hotels, Abeokuta on Thursday.
The former lawmaker opined that the idea cannot get the desired results in the hands of state governors who are bent on silencing the opposition voices.
“The idea of state Police cannot work in our society today. Can you imagine if we have state Police in the hand of somebody like Gov. Dapo Abiodun.
“In Ofada, during the last elections they started shooting, disenfranchised them, they were not allowed to vote. Is these hoodlums they will recruit and turn to state Police.
“The moment they started inspecting all election materials, all these rubbish were discovered. Now, how do we now have state Police”, he asked
Adebutu however praised the gallantry of Journalists in the state for reporting the excesses of the ruling party at the last general elections, hoping that the newsmen will stand tall in the coming elections.
“I want to commend a section of you that reported the unlawful act of the state governor, Dapo Abiodun during the last Presidential and National Assembly elections.
“He was seen brazenly walking from one polling unit to another on election day and this contravene the electoral act. It is our believe that this will not repeat itself on Saturday”, he said.
Adebutu however promised a better media relationship with the union if elected, saying that he believes as fourth estate of the realm, members of the profession should be duly accorded recognition.
“I believe if the three aim of government are fully funded, there is nothing stopping the fourth arm, which is the media shouldn’t be funded for optimal productivity.
“I give you my word. If we get to the government, you will have good access to me. At least we can have relationship that will be better for all in the State.
” Also, there is going to be a recognition in all aspects of government. I hereby implore you; let us be partners,” he added
Meanwhile, the Chairman of NUJ in Ogun state, Comrade Wale Olanrewaju appreciated Adebutu for having interaction with his members, while urging him to bridge the gap between the media and the government if elected.
Olanrewaju noted that the days of divisions in the union are over, saying that the NUJ in Ogun state is one, indivisible group with focus to uplifting the pen pushing profession.
“Today, I want to emphatically say that in the Ogun state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, there is no factions. We are one, indivisible group having same goal.
“Yes, we may have been bedeviled with leadership crisis for almost 4 years but on Thursday, 22nd December, 2022 I was overwhelmingly elected as the Chairman of the council, with my other exco members here present.
“So, whoever is feeding you with lies about a factionalized NUJ, the truth is here today”, he noted.
