Operatives of Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested Ladi Adebutu, the 2023 Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, over his conduct during the local government election held in the state on Saturday.
Adebutu, who had contested against Governor Dapo Abiodun in the last election, has been accused of inciting violence and election misconduct, including alleged manipulation of results and violent clashes.
The council election, criticized by opposition parties, reportedly witnessed a clash between security personnel attached to Adebutu and those believed to be aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
It was alleged that police officers attached to Adebutu opened fire on two individuals, one of whom, Muhammed Efuwape, survived with injuries, while another, Biola, was severely wounded.
Also, It was claimed that Adebutu mobilized over 40 police officers from Lagos Police Command, alongside PDP supporters armed with firearms and riding motorcycles, in an attempt to disrupt the electoral process and snatch ballot boxes in Ikenne, Ogun State.
But Adebutu has denied the allegations, with his media aide, Afolabi Orekoya, issuing a statement on Sunday urging the APC to stop spreading falsehoods and take responsibility for their actions.
The situation escalated on Monday when Adebutu addressed journalists in Abeokuta, only to be arrested and detained by the DSS hours later.
The Ogun State PDP confirmed his detention in a statement on Monday evening, though the specific charges against him remain unclear.
Efforts to secure his release were unsuccessful as of 10pm, and the party has called for calm and peace as it seeks to resolve the matter.
“The leader of our party has been detained by the DSS for charges yet unknown. Several attempts have been made to secure his bail, but none have been successful so far,” said Kayode Adebayo, the Publicity Secretary of the Ogun State PDP.
He urged supporters and party members to remain peaceful while the legal process unfolds.
Recall that the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media and Publicity, Hon. Kayode Akinmade had Monday accused Adebutu of political thuggery, adding that contrary to the Electoral Act, he illegally brought in 40 policemen from MOPOL 49 in Lagos and, along with PDP thugs on Okada who went about with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons, attempting to snatch ballot boxes.
According to Akinmade, one of the polling booths invaded was where the Vice Chairman of Ikenne Local Government, Hon. Muhammed Olaitan Efuwape was about to vote. He was allegedly shot by the policemen alongside one other voter.
He said enraged voters pursued the policemen, who fled to the home of Hon. Adebutu’s compound where they took refuge.
“Rather than allowing the policemen to be picked up, Hon. Abebutu aided their escape from his house, while only four were arrested.
“This individual is trying to assume the role of the Chief Security Officer of Ogun State and that is impossible. It is in his own interest to cooperate with law enforcement officers by turning himself in, rather than trying to exonerate himself from the mayhem unleashed on the peace-loving residents of Iperu on Saturday”, he added.
