Ogun Politics: Adebutu Honours DSS Invitation As Abiodun Inaugurates LG Chairmen
The political landscape in Ogun State has become heated following the recent local government elections, marked by accusations of violence, arrests, and counterclaims from key political figures. The ruling APC’s victory across all 20 chairmanship seats and 236 councillorship positions has sparked controversy, especially from the PDP.
Key Developments:
1.Local Government Elections and Results
The APC swept the local government elections, leading to Governor Dapo Abiodun’s swearing-in of the newly elected council chairpersons. He urged them to focus on grassroots development, align with the state’s development agenda, and avoid partisanship in governance.
2.DSS Summons Ladi Adebutu
The 2023 PDP gubernatorial candidate, Ladi Adebutu, was invited by the DSS over alleged violence during the elections, specifically at Iperu. PDP Secretary Dr. Sunday Solarin clarified that Adebutu and the party chairman, Abayomi Tella, voluntarily honored the invitation.
3.Accusations and Counterclaims
•Adebutu accused Governor Abiodun of using security forces and armed hoodlums to intimidate opposition members. He claimed widespread irregularities, asserting that elections were not conducted in many polling units.
•The governor’s camp dismissed these allegations as baseless. Special Adviser Kayode Akinmade characterized Adebutu’s claims as desperate attempts to deflect attention from the PDP’s challenges.
4.Security Concerns
Governor Abiodun condemned efforts to disrupt the elections and assured that security forces were investigating incidents of violence, including the deployment of illegal security operatives. He promised that culprits would face the full weight of the law.
5.PDP’s Next Steps
The PDP announced plans to review the election process and determine their course of action, hinting at potential legal challenges or petitions.
Broader Implications:
This episode highlights persistent issues in Nigerian local elections, such as allegations of electoral malpractice, violence, and the misuse of state security apparatus. The tensions in Ogun State underscore the challenges of fostering credible, peaceful, and inclusive democratic processes at all levels of government.
