Attack On Our Members, Barbaric, Senseless – PDP Chairman

Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji

ABEOKUTA – The Ogun state chapter of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the attack and beaten of its members by suspected political thugs at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting at Isabo High Court, Abeokuta.

Addressing journalists on Tuesday at the PDP secretariat in Abeokuta, the party chairman, Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele described the attack as barbaric, immature and senseless.

The PDP Chairman who flayed Governorship Dapo Abiodun for allegedly turning the state to lawlessness society and disrepute, accused the police of playing politics with the lives of people.

Ogundele further accused Governor Abiodun of sending the assailants to unleash terror on PDP members and disrupt the court proceeding.

He argued that if Gov. Dapo Abiodun truly won the governorship election, there was no need of sending miscreants to attack PDP members at the court.

“Our members went to the court on Monday in an act of solidarity to witness the tribunal proceedings, but unfortunately the thugs sent by Dapo Abiodun unleashed terror on our members and members of the public.

“I wish to state unequivocally that, such act was barbaric, immature and senseless. Mr. Dapo Abiodun has brought Ogun state to disrepute. For a governor to descend so low to disrupt court process is quite unfortunate and it is condemnable.

Ogundele who also accused Police of partisan during the melee that lasted for about 30minutes, maintained that police have become political tools in the hand of the governor.

“The most disgusting aspect of this was that security operatives were there, especially the police, they looked away. Policemen were there in their hundreds but nobody was arrested. This quite bad. Policemen were there and they looked away which is quite unexpected. The police wanted us to engage the attackers so that they can arrest us. But our people were so peaceful and they did not react.

“It is demoralizing and very disgusting of the State PPRO to have come up with that kind of statement. Something that is in the know, we cannot continue to deceive the people of this State, we cannot continue to play politics with the security of lives and property of the people of the state.

Ogundele was coy on the calls for the movement of the tribunal to Abuja, saying the beauty of the process was for the people to witness the court proceedings.

“The good of it (tribunal) is to have it in Ogun State where our people can witness the whole process”, he stated.

However, the state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied the PDP’s claim.

The APC described as fake news the attack on PDP members at the tribunal in Abeokuta saying, it was an “expression of frustrations of PDP members  over the failure of their plan to overrun the Tribunal”

APC in a press statement issued and signed by its State Assistant Publicity Secreatry, Ogunsanya Olusola Blessed, the APC alleged that it uncovered nefarious plans of the PDP to overrun the tribunal,  but the efforts of security men and women who provided adequate security at the tribunal frustrated the evil plan.