In response to a petition submitted by the Ogun State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Inspector General of Police has directed the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State to investigate the alleged breach of the Electoral Act, 2022. The complaint accuses Dapo Abiodun, Yemi Sanusi, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of engaging in various electoral offenses during the recently concluded governorship and State House of Assembly elections.
The petition which Ogunwatch obtained it’s copies, dated May 2, 2023, was signed by Ehi Uwaifoh on behalf of the PDP. It detailed multiple allegations against the APC candidates and party members, including vote buying, ballot paper and box snatching, destruction of election materials, thuggery, bodily harm to voters, supporters, and agents of the PDP, gun running, violence, and attempted murder.
According to the petition, before the election, Dapo Abiodun and Yemi Sanusi, through their agents, were accused of distributing cash of N5000 in government official envelopes to voters in Ogun State to induce them to vote for the APC. Evidence of this alleged vote buying was widely circulated on social media and reported by the Arise News Channel. The PDP has indicated that videos of the incidents will be submitted as evidence during the investigation.
The complaint also highlighted the arrest of several individuals believed to be thugs working for Dapo Abiodun, Yemi Sanusi, and the APC. These individuals were reportedly apprehended with firearms, ammunition, and charms on various dates leading up to the election.
Furthermore, the PDP accused Abiodun and Sanusi of distributing pre-loaded top-up gift cards valued at N5000 and N10000, which were used to buy votes. The gift cards, totaling over 500,000 in number, were allegedly deployed extensively on election day. The estimated cost of printing the cards and the cumulative amount loaded onto them surpasses the financing threshold mandated by the Electoral Act, 2022.
The PDP’s petition also cited instances of violence and intimidation directed at PDP supporters and voters by armed thugs associated with Abiodun and Sanusi. There were reports of physical attacks and destruction of ballot papers and boxes in areas where the APC feared losing the election.
In one specific incident at Polling Unit Ayegbami 005, Ward 3, Iperu Remo, Ogun State, it is alleged that Dapo Abiodun personally visited the polling unit and, upon his appeal to voters being unsuccessful, his thugs invaded the unit, assaulting voters, and carting away voting materials.
The complaint concluded by mentioning the declaration of Dapo Abiodun as the winner of the election despite allegations of electoral infractions and the declaration of results contrary to sections of the Electoral Act.
Following the submission of the petition, the Inspector General of Police issued a letter to the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, directing a thorough investigation into the allegations. The Commissioner of Police is tasked with examining the claims made in the petition and reporting the findings to the Inspector General.
The PDP has expressed its hope that a comprehensive investigation will be conducted and that those found guilty of violating the Electoral Act and other laws will be brought to justice, thereby sending a strong message against undermining the electoral process and democratic rule.
