The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State during the 2023 election, Oladipupo Adebutu, has accused Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration of borrowing excessively without any significant developmental achievements to show for it.

Adebutu made this assertion during a press conference held on Monday in Abeokuta, where he also described the recently concluded local government election as the worst in Ogun State’s 48-year history.

Flanked by the PDP Chairman, Hon. Abayomi Tella; Secretary, Hon. Sunday Solarin; and Legal Adviser, Mr. Muyiwa Obanewa, Adebutu alleged that the election, conducted last Saturday, was marred by electoral malpractices, violence, and blatant disregard for democratic principles.

Expressing his dismay, Adebutu criticized Governor Abiodun’s administration for its poor performance and accused the government of accumulating more debt than all past administrations combined, with no tangible results to justify the borrowing.

“I have no personal issues with Governor Abiodun, but I must speak on his administration’s poor performance. This is a government that has borrowed excessively with nothing to show for it.

And now, under his watch, Ogun State has witnessed an election that ranks as the worst in the history of one of Nigeria’s leading states,” Adebutu added.

According to Adebutu, the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) rigged the exercise in favor of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He stated that out of the 5,442 polling units in the state, elections did not take place in over 4,000 units, raising serious questions about the credibility of the announced results.

“Our rights were trampled upon on Saturday,” Adebutu said.

“Military personnel were unleashed on civilians, while the residences of PDP leaders were invaded. Hoodlums attacked my household, and one of my security aides was shot, with his rifle carted away. This election was nothing but a scam.”

He further alleged that a transport union leader, identified as Efele, was seen driving around in a convoy of policemen, intimidating PDP supporters and disrupting the election in Odogbolu Local Government Area.

Adebutu also claimed that soldiers arrested voters and transported them to barracks in Ilese-Ijebu, thereby disenfranchising them.

The PDP Chairman, Hon. Abayomi Tella, also condemned the election process, describing it as a “shameful charade.” He stated that despite assurances from OGSIEC about conducting a free and fair election, the electoral body failed to deliver on its promise.

“There was no election in over 4,000 polling units, yet results were announced. The unleashing of thugs and soldiers on opposition party members is not only despicable but also a dangerous precedent,” Tella said.

The PDP leaders called for a review of the electoral process in the state and urged stakeholders to hold the Abiodun administration accountable for what they described as an assault on democracy.

The Ogun State Government, on Monday, described as tissues of lies, the allegation made by the defeated governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Ladi Adebutu, against Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Adebutu, at a press conference, had alleged that Governor Dapo Abiodun moved around during Saturday’s local government election with armed military personnel and the police to unleash violence on the people.

But the state government, through the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, described Adebutu as a drowning man who is finding someone to drag with him into the abyss.

Akinmade, in the statement, noted that Ogun State has not witnessed any political violence since Abiodun assumed office, a testament to his peaceful mien.

He noted that contrary to Adebutu’s falsehood, Prince Abiodun had, immediately after voting, headed home straight, where he was until the election, after which he decided to return to Ondo State where the governorship election had just taken place.

He accused Adebutu of political thuggery, adding that contrary to the electoral act, he illegally brought in 40 policemen from MOPOL 49 in Lagos and, along with PDP thugs on Okada who went about with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons, attempting to snatch ballot boxes.

According to Akinmade, one of the polling booths invaded was where the Vice Chairman of Ikenne Local Government, Hon. Muhammed Olaitan Efuwape was about to vote. He was shot by the policemen alongside one other voter.
Enraged voters pursued the policemen, who fled to the home of Hon. Adebutu’s compound where they took refuge.

He said: “Rather than allowing the policemen to be picked up, Hon. Abebutu aided their escape from his house, while only four were arrested.

“This individual is trying to assume the role of the Chief Security Officer of Ogun State and that is impossible. It is in his own interest to cooperate with law enforcement officers by turning himself in, rather than trying to exonerate himself from the mayhem unleashed on the peace-loving residents of Iperu on Saturday.

“It is laughable that someone whose political journey is on a downward spiral is alleging that voting did not take place in some polling booths in the State, when in actual fact the majority of Ogun residents trooped out in their number to exercise their electoral franchise.

“As a professional clown whose own running mate said he would have been a disaster as governor, Adebutu spun wicked lies like the current one during his case at the election petitions tribunal, and right up to the Supreme Court where he was brutally bludgeoned for his egregious falsehoods.”

Akinmade further described Adebutu as a “sore loser who is yet to come to terms with his electoral deficit and polarized political structure.”

Akinmade counselled Adebutu to turn himself in to law enforcement agents to clarify why he brought in illegal policemen to aide his rigging machine.

The Action Democratic Party (ADP) Ogun State has strongly refuted claims by the Ogun Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) that the recently conducted local government elections were free and fair.

The party described the assertions as baseless and misleading, alleging widespread irregularities in the electoral process.

In a statement jointly signed by Alhaji Tajudeen Durosimi, State Secretary, and Chief Olalekan Hazzan, State Leader, the ADP condemned the elections, describing them as marred by malpractice.

“The claims by IPAC and OGSIEC that the local government elections in Abeokuta South and other areas were credible are not only absurd but also an affront to the democratic principles we uphold,” the statement read.

The ADP cited multiple reports and testimonies from party agents, voters, and independent observers, alleging that the elections were characterized by ballot box stuffing, voter intimidation, and result manipulation.

“These elections were a travesty, riddled with widespread malpractice and misconduct that cannot be overlooked. It is unfortunate that attempts are being made to legitimize such an obvious subversion of the people’s will,” the party stated.

Legal Actions in View

As part of its response, the ADP disclosed its intention to pursue legal action against the state government and OGSIEC to challenge what it described as “daylight robbery” of the electoral process.

“We are prepared to take all necessary legal steps to address these injustices. Ogun State residents deserve accountability and transparency in their local government elections, and we will not relent in our pursuit of justice,” the statement added.

The party urged Ogun State residents and stakeholders to demand accountability and transparency in the electoral process. It emphasized the collective responsibility to protect the sanctity of democracy and ensure that the voices of the people are respected.

“It is time for all stakeholders to rise and ensure that those who undermine our democracy face the consequences of their actions,” the ADP said.

Reaffirming its commitment to free and fair elections, the ADP vowed to remain steadfast despite what it described as false narratives and intimidation tactics.

“We will not be deterred. The ADP stands resolutely for genuine democracy in Ogun State. Together, we can restore the integrity of our electoral processes,” the statement concluded.