The aftermath of the Ogun State local government elections has sparked a heated dispute between Governor Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Oladipupo Adebutu, the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate. The APC claimed a sweeping victory, securing all 20 local government chairmanship positions and 236 councillor seats in the state.
Allegations of Violence and Intimidation
Tensions escalated after the election results were announced, with accusations flying between the state government and Adebutu’s camp. Dapo Abiodun’s Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran, alleged that Adebutu had orchestrated a violent disruption during the Saturday vote. Adeniran claimed that Adebutu brought over 40 police officers from Lagos, allegedly supported by PDP thugs, to snatch ballot boxes in Ikenne Local Government. During this incident, Mohammed Efuwape, the newly elected Vice Chairman of Ikenne, narrowly avoided being shot, while a voter, identified as Biola, suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and was hospitalized.
Adebutu’s Response
In response, Adebutu’s media aide, Afolabi Orekoya, rejected the accusations as baseless. Orekoya countered that Governor Abiodun and his security operatives were responsible for the violence, aiming to suppress voters in Ogun East. He reported that Adebutu’s son was targeted near their residence by a group of thugs linked to the state government, leading to an altercation that resulted in one of Adebutu’s security personnel being shot.
Orekoya also accused state forces of attempting to detain Adebutu without legal grounds. He claimed that heavily armed policemen and security operatives, under the alleged direction of the Inspector General, surrounded Adebutu’s home without presenting an arrest warrant. The standoff lasted about an hour before the security personnel retreated.
Political Implications and Continued Tensions
The accusations between Governor Abiodun and Adebutu reflect deep political divisions in Ogun State. The election outcome, which saw the APC dominate, has been overshadowed by these serious allegations of violence, intimidation, and potential abuse of power. As the political climate remains charged, both parties are standing by their conflicting narratives regarding the election incidents, highlighting the contentious nature of local politics in the state.
News Editor