DSS Arrests Former PDP Governorship Candidate, Ladi Adebutu, Over Election Violence

DSS Arrests Former PDP Governorship Candidate, Ladi Adebutu, Over Election Violence

Ladi Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2023 Ogun State governorship election, has been arrested and detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) over the violence that marred the local government elections held on Saturday, November 16, 2024 . The DSS invited Adebutu for questioning, and he honored the invitation, according to the PDP's Ogun State Publicity Secretary, Kayode Adebayo .

Adebutu had earlier accused the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, of using military and police personnel, as well as armed hoodlums, to intimidate opposition members during the election . He alleged that armed hoodlums shot at police officers who escorted one of his aides when he went to vote, and that the gun of one of the police officers was taken away by the hoodlums before it was later found with the Chief Security Officer of the governor .

Meanwhile, Governor Abiodun has sworn in the newly elected chairmen of the state's local governments, challenging them to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people at the grassroots . Abiodun stressed that the council bosses should key into the state government's development agenda and focus on delivering development to every corner of the state .

The state government has described Adebutu's allegations as a tissue of lies, with the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, saying that Ogun State has not witnessed any political violence since Abiodun assumed office .

Adebutu's detention has sparked tension in Ogun State, with many wondering what this means for the future of politics in the region. The PDP has urged its members and supporters to remain calm, while Adebutu's legal team is expected to take further steps to secure his release .