Ladi Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2023 Ogun State governorship election, has been detained by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The arrest is linked to the events surrounding the local government elections held on Saturday, November 16, 2024. According to reports, Adebutu faces serious allegations related to the conduct of the election, which has drawn significant public attention.
The central accusation against Adebutu is that he orchestrated the deployment of 40 unauthorized police officers, reportedly from the MOPOL 49 unit based in Lagos, to Ogun State on the day of the election. These officers were allegedly brought into the state to influence the outcome of the local elections in favor of the PDP. Additionally, Adebutu is accused of coordinating the actions of PDP supporters, who, according to eyewitnesses, were seen riding motorcycles around Ikenne local government area in an apparent attempt to disrupt the electoral process. Armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, these supporters are said to have been involved in attempting to seize ballot boxes, an act that could have compromised the integrity of the election.
Kayode Adebayo, the PDP’s publicity secretary, confirmed that Adebutu had been taken into custody by the DSS but emphasized that the specific charges against him have not yet been disclosed to the public. Adebayo expressed frustration over the lack of transparency, noting that no official information had been provided to clarify the grounds for Adebutu’s detention. Despite multiple attempts to secure his release, Adebayo revealed that, as of 10 p.m. on Monday, November 18, 2024, efforts to obtain Adebutu’s bail had not been successful.
This arrest has sparked considerable debate, especially within political circles in Ogun State, where the credibility of the local elections is being questioned. Supporters of Adebutu and the PDP have raised concerns over what they describe as politically motivated actions against their candidate. The incident has further intensified the already volatile political climate in the region, with accusations of election rigging and voter intimidation hanging over the process.
At the same time, the DSS’s involvement has raised questions about the role of security forces in local elections and the use of law enforcement for political purposes. The incident underscores the ongoing tension between the state and opposition parties, with both sides accusing each other of using undemocratic tactics to secure victory.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on the DSS for further clarification on the charges, and many are calling for an impartial investigation into the alleged election malpractice. The PDP has vowed to continue advocating for Adebutu’s release and to ensure that the matter is addressed with full transparency, asserting that they stand firmly against any efforts to undermine the democratic process.
