Ogun PDP accuses APC of plotting to block participation in LG poll

The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has accused Governor Dapo Abiodun and the ruling All Progressives Congress of attempting to prevent it from participating in Saturday’s local government elections.

Ogun PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella, raised the alarm on Wednesday during a press briefing at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta.

He alleged that the APC, fearing the popularity of PDP candidates, is resorting to various tactics to sideline the opposition.

“The governor and APC have observed the overwhelming popularity of our candidates and are, therefore, scheming to block us from participating by any means possible,” Tella stated.

The party’s claims come amid a legal suit filed by former state PDP chairman, Sikirullahi Ogundele, which Tella described as an attempt orchestrated by the state government to destabilise the party.

The suit seeks to disqualify PDP candidates, alleging they are not officially recognised members of the party.

“Before this baseless lawsuit, there were previous attempts to disrupt our party congresses, submission of parallel candidate lists to the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), and now this legal action questioning the eligibility of our candidates,” Tella said.

He pointed out that the suit was filed weeks after the official deadline for objections to candidate nominations, a timeline OGSIEC previously established.

Despite this, he expressed confidence in the judiciary but raised concerns over the impartiality of Justice Sunday Adeniyi, assigned to the case.

He noted that Justice Adeniyi was a former APC member, a past caretaker chairman of Ikenne Local Government, and campaign director for Governor Abiodun’s 2015 Senate bid.

“We respect the judiciary and trust in the rule of law. However, we cannot overlook that the judge assigned was once an APC member and appointed as a judge by Governor Abiodun. While we are not questioning his integrity, we urge him to ensure justice aligns with the rule of law,” Tella remarked.

Tella further urged OGSIEC to uphold transparency during the polls, emphasising the need for timely distribution of materials to all 20 local governments and 236 wards.

Meanwhile, Ogun APC Publicity Secretary, Tunde Oladunjoye, dismissed the PDP’s allegations, attributing them to internal divisions that have plagued the party for over a decade.

“The PDP is simply looking for someone to blame for its unresolved crisis. The APC has no hand in their internal rifts, parallel congresses, or factional disputes,” Oladunjoye stated.

Sikirullahi Ogundele, also speaking with The PUNCH, denied being influenced by the state government, dismissing the allegations as “cheap lies.”

“When I was in alignment with them, I wasn’t seen as a tool. Now that I’m taking a different path, they are accusing me. I am educated, with a PhD, and I know what I am doing,” Ogundele said.

The case is scheduled for hearing on Thursday, as both parties brace for a legal showdown ahead of the local government polls.