Ogun LG Poll: DSS Arrests, Detains Ladi Adebutu

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 governorship election in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, has been arrested and detained by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The PDP Publicity Secretary in Ogun State, Kayode Adebayo, stated this in a statement he released in Abeokuta on Monday.

According to him, Adebutu was reportedly invited for questioning allegedly in connection with disturbance during the local government elections held last Saturday, November 16, 2024.

He said, “This is to inform the members of our great party, The Peoples Democratic Party that the leader of the party has truly been detained by the DSS for charges yet unknown.

“However, our principal has called for calm and directed that all members of the party, supporters and well-wishers should be rest assured that this time shall pass, it is one of the prices for our democracy.

“Several efforts have been made to secure his bail as at 10pm on Monday, 18th November 2024 either on personal recognition or by a surety but none has yielded any result so far; his lawyers have been informed and they will take it up by tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.

“By this release, we want our people and the general public to be duly informed about his whereabouts and to maintain calm and peace until this matter is resolved.”

The government has accused Adebutu of deploying illegal police officers to perpetrate violence during the election in the Iperu area of the state.

These officers allegedly shot the newly elected Vice Chairman of Ikenne Local Government, Mohammed Efuwape, and another voter, identified simply as Biola.

In a briefing on Monday, Adebutu accused Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun of using the military, the police, and armed hoodlums to unleash terror on opposition members during the elections.

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Adebutu alleged that the hoodlums, allegedly working for the governor, shot at police officers escorting one of his aides during voting.

He further claimed that one of the police officers attached to him was injured during the attack, while a gun taken by the hoodlums was later found in the possession of the governor’s Chief Security Officer.

Adebutu also accused the governor of moving around in two buses loaded with hoodlums who were used to perpetrate violence during the election.