Ogun PDP, APC trade blames over shooting at campaign convoy

The Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State and the ruling All Progressives Congress have traded words over the circumstances surrounding a shooting incident involving the PDP governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, and his campaign convoy in Ososa area of the state.

While the PDP alleged that its campaign train was attacked with gunshots, stones and other weapons, the APC claimed that the reported shooting was carried out by security personnel attached to Adebutu.

The PDP State Chairman, Dr Abayomi Tella, made the allegation on Friday at a press briefing held at the party secretariat in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Tella alleged that the party had been denied access to billboard spaces for its governorship candidate despite notifying the relevant agencies, particularly the Ogun State Signage and Advertising Agency.

He said, “The ruling All Progressives Congress in the state had been using its incumbency to harass, deny and victimise our party and members in recent times.

“The PDP has been denied access to billboard spaces for our governorship candidate. We have tried a lot, but up till now, we are still being denied, whereas other political parties are allowed to erect their billboards across Ogun State, despite all notifications to the agencies concerned, particularly OGSAA.”

The PDP chairman further alleged that the party was prevented from holding its Ogun East Senatorial District campaign flag-off at Idowa on Wednesday, despite having secured approval and paid N170,000 for the use of the venue.

According to him, the party had initially contacted the Dagburewe of Idowa, who directed its officials to the Olotu, whom he said was in charge of the venue.

“We met the Olotu, and he gave approval for us to use the venue and provided the community account into which we paid the required sum of N170,000. We have the payment receipt available with us.

“Surprisingly, we were stopped from holding the rally a few hours before the event. As a party, we had to look for another venue, and we then moved to Odogbolu,” Tella said.

He explained further that “on our way to Odogbolu, on getting to Ososa, the last batches of vehicles in the train were attacked with gunshots, stones and other weapons. Our people were able to escape.

“I reported the case at the police station, including the Idowa and Igbeba Area Command. It is sad that the police have now arrested PDP members who are meant to be the complainants.

“These complainants are from the people who were attacked, and they are our members. But they are the ones the police are now arresting, while the perpetrators of the attack against us have been left untouched.”

He noted that many vehicles in the PDP’s campaign train were vandalised, adding that most of the party’s members were wounded.

Tella stated that several gunshots were fired, including shots that hit the tyres, while people ran helter-skelter for their lives.

Tella added, “No amount of attack can destabilise us. We are resolute to liberate the people of Ogun State, and we will do that with the power of the people.

“Some six months ago, so many claims that this party was dead were made by the ruling party. But in the last two to three months, they have now discovered that PDP has become Jesus Christ, who rose from the dead, and we are waxing stronger.”

In its reaction, the state chapter of the APC said the reported sporadic shooting was orchestrated by the security personnel attached to Adebutu, in Ososa, the hometown of its deputy governorship candidate, Mrs Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun.

The party, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Femi Nuberu, called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to order a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that anyone found culpable was held accountable.

He said, “We find it deeply disturbing that security details attached to a candidate seeking to become the governor of Ogun State would reportedly cause apprehension among the populace through the reckless discharge of ammunition.

“The incident, which reportedly took place in Ososa, the hometown of our deputy governorship candidate, Mrs. Kudirat Abiodun Adegunwa-Balogun, is troubling and must not be allowed to escalate.

“We call on Hon. Ladi Adebutu and his campaign team to exercise restraint and ensure that their activities do not create fear, intimidation or disorder in any part of Ogun State.”

Efforts to get the reaction of the police, however, proved abortive as calls made to the phone of the spokesperson for the state police command, Oluseyi Babaseyi, were not connecting while he was yet to answer the enquiries sent to his WhatsApp as of the time of filing this report.