The operatives of the Department of State Services have detained the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections, Oladipupo Adebutu.
Adebutu was reportedly taken into custody on Monday in connection with disturbances during the local government elections held in the Iperu area on Saturday, November 16.
Confirming the development, the PDP Publicity Secretary in Ogun State, Kayode Adebayo, released a statement late Monday night.
“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,” Adebayo said.
He further explained that efforts to secure Adebutu’s bail as of 10 pm on Monday were unsuccessful. “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,” he added.
Earlier, the state PDP Secretary, Dr. Sunday Solarin, stated that Adebutu had voluntarily responded to a DSS invitation concerning the local government elections.
The state government has accused Adebutu of employing illegal police officers to cause violence during the elections. According to reports, these officers allegedly shot Mohammed Efuwape, the newly elected Vice Chairman of Ikenne Local Government, and another voter identified as Biola.
Adebutu, however, has denied these allegations. In a press briefing on Monday, he accused Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun of using the military, police, and armed thugs to intimidate opposition members during the elections.
He alleged that “hoodlums working for the governor” shot at police officers escorting one of his aides during the voting process. He also claimed that one of the police officers attached to him was injured in the attack and that a gun taken by the hoodlums was later found in the possession of the governor’s Chief Security Officer.
Adebutu further alleged that the governor moved around in buses carrying thugs who were used to spread violence during the election.
