… says he will run a media friendly government if elected
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 adoption of state police in 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 using every power and security apparatus within their power to intimidate and frustrate 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 commended some Journalists in the state for reporting the excesses of the ruling party at the last general elections,but frowned at this reason why some major news medium didn’t give the story the publicity it deserved , hoping that the newsmen will remain fearless in the coming elections buy ensuring and accurate and balance report is disseminate to the public.
“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 contravened 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.
He added that if the three arms of government are fully funded, there is no reason why the fourth arm, which is the media be deprived of fund. He said that the media needs proper welfare to enable it discharge its role as the watchdog and bridge between the people and government.
“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 the interaction with his Journalists in Ogun state, 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 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.
