The South-West zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the alleged intimidation and irregularities during the recent local government elections in Ogun State, describing the conduct of the exercise as a sham and a breach of democratic values.
The PDP expressed its position in a statement issued by its Southwest Publicity Secretary, Sanya Atofarati, and made available in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Sunday.
Atofarati stated, “Instances of intimidation against our party members were widespread across polling units in all 20 local government areas, culminating in the unjust arrest and detention of the PDP’s 2023 governorship candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu.
“Intimidation, oppression, undue arrests, and detentions are breaches of democratic values. They are unacceptable and condemnable.
“The Babatunde Osibodu-led Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission was compromised from the outset, with a clear intention to perpetrate electoral fraud.
“Reported irregularities in the election included the premature declaration of results in areas where no elections were held.”
The PDP accused the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, of being complicit in the irregularities and intimidation, stating, “Governor Abiodun must acknowledge the impending downfall of the All Progressives Congress in the state.
“His persistent harassment of PDP leaders and oppressive tactics will only fuel a revolution among the marginalised masses. Ogun State currently faces significant debt and a lack of development under the APC’s governance.”
“The party’s South-West chapter, however, urged its members “to uphold the law and remain peaceful in the face of these challenges.”
However, the All Progressive Congress, APC Publicity Secretary in Ogun State, Tunde Oladunjoye, insisted that the council elections followed due process and accused the PDP of perpetrating violence during the election.
Oladunjoye said, “They (PDP) are not popular, but they are making a lot of noise. What was shocking in the local government elections was the kind of violence perpetrated by the PDP.
“Nobody is silencing the opposition. In fact, they are the ones who should behave according to the law and not act as if they are above it. Ogun State was peaceful before this election.”
