Daud Olatunji
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.
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