November 19, (THEWILL) – The Ogun State Government has dismissed allegations of electoral misconduct levelled by the former Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, during the November 16 local government election.
Adebutu, at a press conference, had accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of orchestrating violence during the election by moving around with armed military personnel and police officers to intimidate voters and deny PDP members access to polling units.
However, reacting to the allegations on Monday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, described Adebutu’s claims as baseless and a desperate attempt by “a drowning man” to tarnish the governor’s image.
Akinmade noted that Ogun State has enjoyed a peaceful political climate since Abiodun assumed office, dismissing the allegations as “tissues of lies.”
According to him, the governor left the polling station immediately after voting and returned home, later travelling to Ondo State after the election.
In a strongly worded statement, Akinmade accused Adebutu of political thuggery, alleging that the former governorship candidate violated the Electoral Act by bringing in 40 policemen from MOPOL 49 in Lagos.
He further claimed that Adebutu mobilised armed PDP thugs on motorcycles to disrupt the electoral process, including an alleged attempt to snatch ballot boxes.
“One of the polling units attacked was where the Vice Chairman of Ikenne Local Government, Hon. Muhammed Olaitan Efuwape, was voting. He was shot, alongside another voter, by the rogue policemen,” he said.
He alleged that voters chased the assailants to Adebutu’s residence, where they sought refuge.
“Rather than allowing the police to apprehend them, Adebutu facilitated their escape, although four were eventually arrested,” he added.
The media aide, criticised Adebutu for attempting to assume the role of Ogun State’s Chief Security Officer, calling on him to cooperate with law enforcement.
“It is laughable that someone whose political relevance is dwindling continues to spread falsehoods.
“As a professional clown whose own running mate once described him as unfit to govern, Adebutu is spinning lies just as he did during his election tribunal case, which ended in a crushing defeat,” he said.
The government official advised Adebutu to turn himself into law enforcement agents to explain the presence of the illegal policemen he allegedly brought into the state during the election.
