A member of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Oladipupo Adetutu, has condemned the local government election in Ogun State, calling it the “worst in the history of the state in the last 48 years.”
Adetutu, flanked by PDP leaders including Chairman Hon. Abayomi Tella, Secretary Hon. Sunday Solarin, and Legal Adviser Mr. Muyiwa Obanewa, spoke at a press conference in Abeokuta on Monday.
He alleged that the election, held on Saturday, was marred by widespread electoral malpractices, violence, and intimidation of voters.
The PDP chieftain, who was the gubernatorial candidate for the party in the 2023 elections, described the election as a “scam,” accusing the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) of rigging the polls in favor of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The rights of the electorate were trampled upon,” Adebutu said, adding that military personnel were unleashed on civilians during the election. “Out of 5,442 polling units in the state, the election did not take place in over 4,000 units. One has to wonder where OGSIEC got all the votes they announced,” he remarked.
Adebutu also claimed that his personal home and the residences of other PDP leaders were under siege during the election. “They brought a heavy detachment of police to attack my household, assault my aides, and even shot one of my security personnel, stealing his rifle,” he alleged.
He further accused transport union leader Efele of being seen in a convoy of policemen, driving around to intimidate PDP supporters in the Odogbolu Local Government Area. “Soldiers arrested voters and took them to the Barracks in Ilese-Ijebu,” he added.
Despite expressing no personal animosity toward Governor Dapo Abiodun, Adebutu criticized his administration for what he described as poor governance and excessive borrowing, saying, “His administration has borrowed more money than all past governments with nothing to show for it.”
PDP Chairman, Hon. Abayomi Tella, also condemned the election, stating that more than 4,000 polling units in the state saw no election take place, yet OGSIEC announced results in those areas. “The conduct of the election was shameful,” Tella remarked, adding that “the unleashing of thugs and soldiers on opposition members was a despicable act.”
Tella also highlighted the contradiction between OGSIEC’s promise of a free and fair election and the actual conduct of the polls, calling it “a charade and manipulation.”
The PDP has vowed to continue its fight against what it terms the manipulation of the democratic process in Ogun State, urging for a thorough investigation into the electoral irregularities that allegedly took place.
