Following a petition by Ladi Adebutu, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, has instructed Police Commissioner Olanrewaju Oladimeji to investigate Governor Dapo Abiodun over allegations of loading N5 billion on bank-linked vouchers to buy votes in the March 18 gubernatorial election.
Adebutu, represented by his lawyer Ehi Uwaifoh, accused Governor Abiodun and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of engaging in vote-buying, electoral violence, and voter intimidation. He alleged that the governor used the sum of N5 billion to induce voters through pre-loaded top-up gift cards worth N10,000 and N5,000 each.
According to Adebutu, the utilization of N5 billion for printing the cards and their associated costs violated the financing threshold of N1 billion stipulated by section 88 of the Electoral Act, 2022.
In a letter dated May 8, signed by Idris Abubakar, the principal staff officer to the Inspector General of Police, the Ogun State Police Command was directed to investigate the multibillion-naira vote-buying allegation against Governor Abiodun.
The letter stated, “Attached herewith is a copy of (a) letter dated 2nd May 2023 received from Ehi Uwaifoh & Co, on the above-underlined subject. The inspector-general of police directs that you deal with the complaint and report findings. Accept the assurances of the inspector general of police’s warm regards.”
Governor Abiodun has not responded to calls and messages made to his known phone number. Additionally, he has yet to appoint a spokesperson since commencing his second term in office.
In his petition, Adebutu, who is challenging Governor Abiodun’s victory at the governorship election petitions tribunal, identified 16 individuals suspected to have collaborated with Governor Abiodun and the APC chairman in Ogun State to deploy heavily armed thugs who attacked PDP supporters and voters.
It was previously reported that thugs believed to be loyal to the APC disrupted the tribunal hearing that challenged Governor Abiodun’s victory.
Adebutu had accused the Inspector General of Police of failing to investigate his petition regarding suspected vote-buying and other electoral violence committed by Governor Abiodun. In response, the Ogun State Police Command charged Adebutu and nine others at the Ogun State High Court for allegedly purchasing votes during the election. The police claimed that the governor was evading arrest in the matter.
