The Ogun State chapter of the African Democratic Congress on Thursday accused the police of disrupting its campaign in Sagamu for Saturday’s Remo Federal Constituency by-election, allegedly to favour the ruling All Progressives Congress.
ADC state chairman, Femi Soluade, said the party—led by its National Secretary and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola—had secured police approval for the rally, but its “campaign train was violently disrupted, canopies removed, chairs broken, musical instruments seized, and an armoured tank stationed to intimidate our candidate, leaders and supporters.”
Soluade alleged that the Divisional Police Officer in Sagamu, joined by the Area Commander, later blocked Aregbesola, the party’s South-West chairman, Rasaq Eyiowuawi, himself, and other senior leaders at Isale Oko, ordering them to turn back to Abeokuta.
“They gave the flimsy excuse that Governor Dapo Abiodun and his APC members were occupying every nook and cranny of the area—as if public space belongs to the ruling party!” Soluade said.
The party condemned the alleged bias as “shameful and undemocratic,” vowing not to be intimidated.
“No amount of harassment, broken chairs, seized instruments, or armoured tanks will silence the voice of the people,” Soluade declared. “To the police, your loyalty should be to the Constitution, not politicians. ADC has come to stay.”
Efforts to reach the state Police Commissioner, Lanre Ogunlowo, and spokesperson, CSP Omolola Odutola, for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.
Meanwhile, the APC wrapped up its campaign for the same by-election with a show of confidence.
The APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, speaking at the Gateway International Airport in Sagamu after attending the party’s grand finale rally, described Ogun as “our terrain, our state, our environment.”
“Anyone who votes for any other party aside from the APC is wasting their vote,” he said, praising the airport as a “game changer” that will open Ogun to global investment.
In his speech, Governor Dapo Abiodun assured voters of “adequate security” and warned against election violence.
“If you are not planning to go out and vote peacefully, stay at home… we will deal with you decisively,” he warned, vowing a “landslide victory” for APC candidate Hon. Adesola Elegbeji.
Saturday’s poll will decide who replaces the APC’s former House of Representatives member for the constituency, with both parties accusing each other of intimidation ahead of the vote.
