Ogun APC govt weaponizing state power to intimidate us, PDP chair alleges

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By Adejoke Adeleye/ Ogun

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state of harassment, intimidation and suppression of activities of the opposition party across the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ogun PDP Chairman, Dr. Abayomi Tella said this at a press briefing held at the party Secretariat in Abeokuta on Thursday.

Tella detailed alleged series of violent attacks, venue cancellations, and arbitrary police arrests targeted at PDP members during the flag-off of their Ogun East senatorial campaign to back up his claim.

Tella also claimed that the PDP governorship candidate has been repeatedly denied access to billboard spaces by state regulatory agencies, particularly the Ogun State Signage and Advertising Agency (OGSAA), while ruling and rival parties face no such restrictions.

He said despite fulfilling all community requirements and paying ₦170,000 for a campaign venue in Idowa, Odogbolu local Govt area, the event was stopped hours before commencement on instructions attributed to the local traditional ruler, the Dagburewe of Idowa.

He further alleged that despite the denial of the purposed campaign location, the party campaign trains were blocked when they were passing through Idowa and Ososa by armed hoodlums and subsequently attacked with gunshots, stones, and weapons.

Th PDP Chairman said several vehicles, including those of key candidates, were severely damaged with shot-out tires and shattered windscreens.

Tella also accused the Nigerian police of aiding the perpetrators rather than apprehending them and arresting and detaining the party members who went to make report.

“Five to six of our members who went to report are been detained and still in Police custody as at the time of this press conference”.

Dr. Tella expressed shock at the sudden cancellation by the Dagburewe of Idowa after payment was confirmed by the community’s Olotu.

He however urged media professionals to investigate whether state executive pressure was placed on traditional institutions to stymie opposition campaigns.

“In a normal clime,you would expect our kabiyesi to be independent in their decisions, but you and I know that today,the government dictates a lot. We all know when a Kabiyesi gives you a nod that should be as good as bank cheque”.

“While no fatalities were immediately confirmed, several members sustained injuries, and multiple vehicles were vandalized”.

Dr. Tella highlighted an attack on PDP candidate Agbolade’s vehicle, noting that heavy-caliber ammunition penetrated the car’s alloy rims.

Responding to questions about whether the attacks were designed to destabilize the party’s stronghold in Ogun East, Dr. Tella stated that the PDP remains unfazed by intimidation.

“The PDP is too united to be destabilise, six months ago, claims were made that this party was dead. But in the last two to three months,they have discovered that PDP has become Jesus Christ,who rose from the dead,and we are waxing stronger. That has sent jotters into their camp”.

​The Ogun State PDP leadership called on the Nigerian Police Force to act professionally, release detained PDP members, and launch an impartial investigation into the perpetrators of the Ososa and Idowa attacks.

The party also urged the general public to resist democratic regression and reaffirmed its commitment to competing peacefully in the 2027 general elections.