The All Progressives Congress in Osun State and the Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Sharafadeen Awotunde, have traded words over the attack which occurred at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the area.
The APC had alleged that two of its members, Taiwo Kazeem and Oladimeji Olamilekan, were attacked by some hoodlums at the ongoing Continuous Voters’ Registration exercise at the INEC office in Ifelodun LG.
According to a statement by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the hoodlums, allegedly led by one Hassan Abdullahi, attacked the APC members with a short axe.
The APC also alleged that Awotunde had invaded the INEC office with some thugs to whisk away Abdullahi from the premises.
“Information also has it that sensing that the suspects could be arrested by the Police, the former chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Council Area, Sarafadeen Awotunde, popularly known as ‘Spain’, invaded the INEC office with his retinue of thugs and whisked away the suspects.
“We are condemning the needless attacks of our members at the INEC office by the PDP thugs who were suspiciously acting on the order of Awotunde who is a self-acclaimed violent PDP thug in Ikirun and its environs,” the statement noted.
The statement added that, “It is necessary to effect the urgent arrest and arraignment of Awotunde based on his past records of self-confession that he and his gang are always responsible for the disturbance of peace and harmony in the Ikirun axis of the state.”
But the PDP denied the allegations, noting that he had not set foot on the INEC office since the registration exercise started.
A statement by the media office of the PDP chairman said the allegation by the APC was a deliberate attempt to malign Awotunde’s image.
The statement said: “For clarity, since the commencement of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise over two weeks ago, Otunba Awotunde has not set foot in or around the Ifelodun INEC office.
“The allegation that Otunba led or sponsored any attack is not only false but a deliberate attempt to malign his image and distract from the ongoing peaceful voter registration exercise. In fact, it is the same injured Mr. Taiwo Kazeem that brought weapons to the INEC office.
“We wish to state categorically that Otunba Sarafadeen Abiodun Awotunde is a law-abiding citizen of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has consistently demonstrated belief in democratic principles, the rule of law, and the fundamental freedoms of association and movement. He will never sponsor violence or condone thuggery under any guise.”
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.
