A socio-political group within the Peoples Democratic Party, the Òmìnira Ọ̀dọ́ Vanguard, has condemned the arrest of the Member representing Sagamu State Constituency 1 in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Damilare Bello, also known as DRE, by operatives of the Department of State Services in connection with cult clashes that happened last week in Sagamu, Ogun State.

In a statement signed by its convener, Oluwapelumi Coker, the group described the lawmaker as a peace-loving personality with a penchant for growth and development.

The statement read, “Hon. Bello, a member of our party, the People’s Democratic Party, is a peace-loving, charismatic, and vibrant citizen who has over the years strived for the development of not only Sagamu but Ogun State as a whole. 

His alleged involvement in cult clashes is false and dark propaganda sponsored by the ruling party.

“The ruling APC not only orchestrated the unjust arrest of Hon. Bello, they also launched a media attack on his personality through state-owned media outlets after the DSS failed to nail him with any criminal charges. It is pure witch-hunt.”

The group further accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of failing in his fundamental responsibility to secure the lives and properties of the people of Ogun State, and raised the question of what is being done with the Ogun State monthly security vote allocation.

The Òmìnira Ọ̀dọ́ Vanguard called on Governor Abiodun to release Hon. Bello with immediate effect and cease the media trial of the lawmaker.

The group also commiserated with the families of the victims of the Sagamu cult clashes and expressed its belief that the Ogun State of their dream is almost here as the current administration will be gone soon.

The group said that the candidate of the PDP, Dr. Ladi Adebutu, will prioritize the safety of lives and properties of everyone in the state after he must have reclaimed his mandate at the election tribunal.