The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned the arrest of its Ogun State Chairman, Abayomi Tella, calling it an act of political intimidation aimed at weakening the opposition during the ongoing by-election.
Tella was reportedly arrested in a hotel in the early hours of Saturday in Sagamu, a move the PDP described as a “calculated attempt” to tilt the electoral process in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Kayode Adebayo, the party accused the Nigerian Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) of complicity in the incident, calling their actions “dastardly and cowardly.”
“It is disheartening that the very agencies meant to uphold law and order are being used to harass and victimize opposition voices,” the statement read.
The PDP also raised concerns over widespread violence and voter intimidation in Sagamu, Remo North, and Ikenne, where the by-election is taking place.
“Reports from the ground paint a grim picture of heavy gunfire, harassment of voters, and intimidation of electoral officials,” the party said. “This brazen thuggery is a direct assault on democracy.”
The party further alleged that Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration, in collaboration with security agencies, had enabled electoral violence and lawlessness in the region.
“The Dapo Abiodun administration’s failure to rein in this regime of terror is dragging Ogun State back to the dark ages,” the PDP stated. “This is not the leadership the people deserve.”
The party demanded the immediate release of its chairman and other opposition members who were allegedly targeted during the election, while calling for a full investigation into the role of security agencies.
“The Nigerian Police must rise above partisan politics and act as protectors of all citizens, not political enforcers. Governor Abiodun and the security agencies must be held accountable for every act of violence committed during this election.”
The PDP concluded by calling on civil society groups, well-meaning Nigerians, and the international community to take note of what it described as a dangerous descent into lawlessness in Ogun State.
“We remain committed to defending the will of the people and will not be intimidated. The people of Remo deserve justice, and we will not rest until it is served.”
Efforts are currently underway to obtain a response from the APC and the Ogun State Government regarding the allegations.