The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for an investigation into the security lapses that occurred during an attack on Nigerians at the premises of the Ogun State Election Petition Tribunal in Isabo, Abeokuta. The party condemned the violent attack, which targeted its members, including Otunba Segun Sowunmi, the PDP leader in Ogun State, as well as journalists and other individuals. The PDP alleged that the attackers were mobilized by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to disrupt the proceedings at the tribunal.
According to the PDP, the motive behind the attack was to instill fear, disrupt the tribunal’s proceedings, and create a sense of siege on the people and the judiciary, with the aim of obstructing the delivery of justice in the petition filed by the PDP governorship candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu. The PDP claimed that the Ogun State Governorship election was rigged in favor of the APC candidate, Governor Dapo Abiodun.
In a statement issued by the PDP’s national publicity secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, it was alleged that the hoodlums were mobilized by APC leaders who feared that their manipulations and rigging would be exposed at the tribunal. The party expressed concern that the attack on its members and other innocent Nigerians occurred in the presence of police operatives and security agents who allegedly made no effort to stop the violence or apprehend the APC hoodlums.
The PDP called on the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to promptly investigate the security lapses that allowed such an attack on the judiciary and innocent Nigerians at the Electoral Tribunal premises. The party demanded that those responsible for the attack be apprehended and held accountable, pointing to video evidence of the incident allegedly implicating APC-sponsored hoodlums.
Despite the attack, the PDP asserted that it would not be deterred or intimidated by the APC, reaffirming its commitment to pursuing the recovery of the mandate it believes was freely given to its party and gubernatorial candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, in Ogun State. The PDP called on its members, supporters, and the people of Ogun State to remain calm, yet vigilant, and utilize legal means to resist any attempts by the APC to disrupt the tribunal and undermine the course of justice in the matter.
