ABEOKUTA – Ogun State chapter of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun of using the Department of State Security Services (DSS) to harass candidates of the party ahead of the Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.
The party also called for the redeployment of the DSS Director in the state Mr. Olufemi Aaron for allegedly being used by the state governor to intimidate opposition parties in the state.
Recall that, the state governor had accused some PDP candidates for masterminding the Sagamu protest with a threat to bring the perpetrators to book.
But PDP in a quick reaction, denied the involvement of its members in the Sagamu violence, blaming the APC government in the state for inciting members of the public against banks and federal regime.
Addressing journalists on Thursday morning, the PDP Deputy Governorship candidate in the state, Hon. Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade said governor Abiodun is witch-hunting members and candidates of the party over the violent protest at Sagamu last Monday.
He said while the mayhem lasted for more than four hours uninterrupted, the security agencies could not put a stop to it for the period it lasted until the banks were completely destroyed.
He called on all security agencies in the state not to be used by politicians for political gains.
According to him, “The next thing was for the Governor to attempt using the police to hunt our candidates in Sagamu, the Police after realizing the fact that our candidates were not involved. The Governor dissatisfied, went ahead to use Department of State Security (DSS) to go after our candidates for no just reason.
“It is unfortunate that the DSS went as far as breaking into the houses of five of our candidates and supporters without any Warrant.
“It is sad that Gov. Dapo Ablodun now descends to using security agencies to harass PDP candidates and hunt innocent citizens. This is also a warning to all security agencies particularly the DSS not to allow themselves to be used for Political gains. They are to protect all citizens and not to be used by any Governor or Politician to Suppress
others.
“As a party that is peace loving, we are worried about the fairness of the Ogun State Director of the DSS, Mr. Femi Aaron, fsi, in the forthcoming elections, in as much as we are not comfortable and confident of his neutrality, we therefore wish to call for the redeployment of the state Director of DSS, Mr Femi Aaron, for a free and fair election in Ogun State.”
In his reaction, Governor Dapo Abiodun said anyone with clean hands should not afraid of accusation.
Governor Abiodun who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin said, “No one with clean hands should feel harassed or intimidated. Let anyone invited, who has nothing to hide, no skeleton in their cupboard, go and clear their names.
“Justice, fairness, and public order are at stake. Politicising them will do neither the incumbent administration nor opposition any good.”
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