November 21, (THEWILL) – The Peoples Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate in Ogun State’s 2023 elections, Ladi Adebutu, has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and address what he described as Governor Dapo Abiodun’s erosion of the All Progressives Congress’ goodwill in the state.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Adebutu criticised the conduct of last Saturday’s local government elections in Ogun State, describing it as a sham.
He accused Abiodun of manipulating the electoral process and denying the people their right to vote freely.
Adebutu further alleged that Abiodun had mismanaged over N214 billion allocated to local governments in the past five years, funds meant to facilitate grassroots development.
“The governor brought soldiers from Ibadan to intimidate voters and connived with the State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) to rig the polls in favor of the APC,” Adebutu claimed.
He also linked his recent arrest to an attempt by the state government to silence him as an opposition voice.
He added, “If under a Yoruba presidency, the President sits back and watches his people being beaten and maimed for exercising their franchise, it would be a sad day. The truth is that the governor is destroying whatever goodwill remains of the APC in the Southwest.”
Adebutu accused the governor of sidelining local governments in developmental projects, citing past administrations as a benchmark for effective governance.
“In the last five years, Ogun State’s 20 local governments have received no less than N214 billion, yet there is nothing to show for it. They can’t even cut the grass in the local governments,” he said.
He contrasted this with the administration of Gbenga Daniel, under which local governments were involved in constructing rural roads, markets, motor parks, and electrification projects.
Adebutu claimed that no election took place in the majority of polling units across the state, with voting materials absent in over 4,000 of the 5,244 polling units.
He alleged that thugs from Ikorodu were deployed to terrorize his supporters, while soldiers from Ibadan were brought in to intimidate opposition members.
“Who authorized these soldiers from Ibadan? Who shot at one of the policemen assigned to me in December 2022 to ensure my safety? That officer is still critically ill at OOUTH,” he lamented.
Adebutu urged Tinubu to call Governor Abiodun to order, condemning the governor’s actions surrounding the election.
“The way Governor Abiodun has conducted himself over the local government elections is unacceptable. His actions are eroding democracy and tarnishing the APC’s legacy,” Adebutu concluded.
The local government elections in Ogun State have been fraught with controversy, sparking debates over governance and the integrity of grassroots democracy in the state.
