The Ogun State Government has dismissed the allegations made by Hon. Ladi Adebutu, the defeated governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), against Governor Dapo Abiodun, calling them a “tissue of lies.”
Adebutu had accused Governor Abiodun of moving around with armed military personnel and police during Saturday’s local government elections to unleash violence on the electorate.
However, in a statement issued on Monday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, described the allegations as a face-saving strategy by a “drowning man trying to drag others into the abyss.”
Akinmade refuted Adebutu’s claims, emphasizing that Ogun State has remained free of political violence since Governor Abiodun assumed office, thanks to his commitment to peace and security.
“Contrary to Adebutu’s falsehood, Governor Abiodun went straight home after casting his vote and stayed there until the election concluded.
He later traveled to Ondo State, where a governorship election had just taken place,” Akinmade clarified.
Accusations of Thuggery and Illegal Policemen
The statement accused Adebutu of orchestrating electoral violence during the elections.
According to Akinmade, Adebutu illegally brought 40 policemen from MOPOL 49 in Lagos, who, along with armed PDP thugs on motorcycles, attempted to disrupt voting by snatching ballot boxes.
Akinmade alleged that the thugs invaded several polling booths, including one where the Vice Chairman of Ikenne Local Government, Hon. Muhammed Olaitan Efuwape, was about to vote.
“The thugs, accompanied by the illegal policemen, shot Efuwape and another voter. Enraged voters pursued the attackers, who fled to Adebutu’s compound for refuge,” he stated.
“Rather than cooperating with law enforcement, Adebutu aided the escape of these illegal operatives from his house, although four of them were eventually apprehended,” Akinmade added.
Akinmade however challenged Adebutu to explain his actions, accusing him of attempting to assume the role of the Chief Security Officer of Ogun State.
“It is in his interest to cooperate with law enforcement by turning himself in, rather than concocting baseless allegations to exonerate himself from the mayhem unleashed on the peace-loving residents of Iperu,” he said.
The governor’s media aide dismissed Adebutu’s claims that voting did not occur in some areas, stating that the majority of Ogun residents participated actively in the elections.
He further criticized Adebutu as a “professional clown whose own running mate described as a potential disaster as governor.”
“During his case at the election petitions tribunal and up to the Supreme Court, Adebutu fabricated lies, only to be brutally exposed and defeated. His current allegations follow the same pattern,” Akinmade noted.
Sore Loser Allegation
Labeling Adebutu a “sore loser,” Akinmade said he has failed to accept his electoral defeat and reconcile with his polarized political structure.
He concluded by advising Adebutu to turn himself in for questioning regarding the illegal deployment of policemen during the election.
“Rather than spinning falsehoods, Adebutu should explain his involvement in bringing in unauthorized security personnel to aid his rigging plans,” Akinmade counseled.