ABEOKUTA – The Ogun State chapter of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the security operatives including the Army and Police of providing covers as hoodlums destroyed sensitive and non-sensitive materials in about 100 polling units in the last Saturday’s governorship and State Assembly elections in the state.
The party further alleged that the destruction and use of state power to manipulate the electoral process happened in the strongholds of the Party.
Addressing a press conference on Monday on the outcome of the election, the State Deputy Chairman of the Party, Kayode Bamgbose, alleged the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC of conniving with the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The party further revealed that the Chairman of the Sagamu local government was arrested with AK47 assault rifle, alleging that he was released within one hour.
It further alleged that official vehicles of the state government were deployed to transport the hoodlums in the alleged destruction of the materials.
The party further alleged that the crises affected 14 out of the 20 local government areas of the state, adding that 54 polling units in Sagamu local governments were attacked.
It, however, called on the INEC National Chairman, Professor Yakubu Muhammad to reverse the announcement by the state returning officer, Professor Kayode Adebowale.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State has said that the state is mourning following the announcement of Governor Dapo Abiodun as the winner of the Saturday’s governorship election.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in unpatriotic connivance with the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and Governor Dapo Abiodun with security agencies provided support, brazenly rigged the results of the governorship and house of assembly elections.
“Specifically, the Nigeria Police and the military provided virile cover for gun-wielding criminals to disrupt and burn ballot boxes in over 100 polling units across the state.
“These polling units were strategically targeted as they are known strongholds of our party.
“As a responsible political organization, we also warned and charged the Nigeria Police and other security agencies not to hold all signals with kid gloves.
“But despite our warnings, those who should be at the forefront of confronting these assaults aided them.
“The Chairman of Sagamu Local Government, Afolabi Odulate was arrested with AK-47 automatic rifle and other condiments only to be released within one hour. The Chairman and Publicity Secretary of the government-controlled transport union, Efele and Danny, were arrested leading criminal squads to disrupt polling units only to be released within one hour.
“The gubernatorial election of last Saturday was heavily characterized with unprecedented needless violence in several local government areas including Sagamu where 54 polling units were attacked by APC-sponsored thugs and ballot boxes and other sensitive election materials were carted away and burnt to ashes.
“Similar calculated occurrences took place in Odogbolu LGA, Ikenne, Remo North, Ifo, Ogun waterside, Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Ipokia, Ado Odo Ota, Ijebu East, Ijebu North East, Obafemi Owode and Ijebu Ode. A total of 14 local governments out of the 20.
“To our greatest dismay, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC legalized and legitimize these atrocities when it failed to acknowledge the disruption of votes in these local governments and follow the provision of Section 24 subsection 3 and section 51 subsection 3 of the electoral act as amended.
“It is self-evident that INEC has made itself a willing tool in the hands of the peoples forsaken APC.
“With tangible proofs of reckless manipulation, over voting and gross disregard for the dictates and provisions of the electoral law 2022, we can safely say that the figures announced by INEC as the final result of the governorship election does not represent the popular wish of the people.
“It should also be placed on record that despite the fact that our party notified the Returning Officer of the position of the electoral law on situations where the margin of winning is lower than the number of disenfranchised voters, a rerun should be held, a petition was also submitted to the INEC which was acknowledged by the REC but was not attended to, yet the result was announced and declared against the provision of the electoral law.”
Also, the PDP governorship candidate, said it was regrettable that INEC and security agencies acted as appendage of the state government.
Adebutu vowed to challenge Abiodun’s victory through all legal means available.
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