The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ogun State slammed the Nigerian Police Force for blocking its national leaders from campaigning in the state.
According to a statement by the Publicity Secretary of ADC in Ogun State, Olumide Onabajo, some police officers from the state command prevented the national leadership, led by the National Secretary of the party, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, from its scheduled campaign for the forthcoming bye-elections in Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency.
He disclosed that the police said they were acting on the order of the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.
Onabajo said the party had formally notified the police of the campaign plans through an official letter which they (police) received and acknowledged.
He, however, said the police, in a “shocking display of bias and political intimidation”, allegedly disrupted their campaign.
“Our canopies were removed, chairs broken, musical instruments seized, and an armoured tank was stationed to intimidate our candidate, our leaders, and our supporters,” Onabajo said.
The statement condemned the action of the police officers,
describing it as shameful and undemocratic.
“As if that was not enough, on our way out, specifically at Isale Oko in Sagamu the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) accosted us again. In a matter of minutes, the Area Commander joined him, and together they blocked our National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; our South-West Chairman, Hon. Rasaq Eyiowuawi; our State Chairman, Otunba Dr. Femi Soluade; Chairman Elders Council, Chief Pa Alani Opaleye, Hon Akinlabi Party Leader; and all our campaign vehicles.
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“They demanded that we detour back to Abeokuta, giving the flimsy excuse that Governor Dapo Abiodun and his APC members were “occupying every nook and cranny” of the area as if the public space belongs to the ruling party!”.
Onabajo however, said that ADC will not be intimidated, adding that “We are the credible alternative and the voice of the people. Ogun State and indeed Nigerians have embraced us because they are tired of oppression, tired of intimidation, and tired of a government that uses security agencies as attack dogs against the opposition.
“We will continue to campaign. We will continue to speak the truth. We will continue to offer Nigerians real hope. No amount of harassment, broken chairs, seized instruments, or armoured tanks will silence the voice of the people.”
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
