The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Ogun State Government of employing security agencies to disrupt its campaign activities ahead of Saturday’s by-election for the Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency.
The party lamented that despite formally notifying the police of their campaign plans through an official letter, which was duly received and acknowledged, their campaign rally was disrupted.
The ADC alleged that their canopies were removed, chairs broken, musical instruments seized, and even an armoured vehicle deployed to intimidate their candidate, party leaders, and supporters.
Speaking to journalists at Tamotoye Roundabout in Ishara on Thursday, the party’s State Chairman, Femi Soluade, condemned the incident as “an aberration in our body politics” and “a display of anti-democratic tendencies.”
Soluade further alleged that police operatives were being used to intimidate ADC members, particularly following the arrival of the party’s interim national secretary, former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola.
He claimed that despite notifying the police of the campaign itinerary several days earlier and receiving official approval, the rally venue was suddenly barricaded and access denied to their supporters.
“Immediately they noticed Aregbesola was around, we began to face threats. Our letter, which had already been granted, was abruptly halted. We are here to express our grievances and to let the world know what the APC government is doing. This is an aberration,” Soluade said.
He added, “Let it be clear: ADC will not be intimidated. We are the credible alternative and the voice of the people. Ogun State, and indeed Nigerians, have embraced us because they are tired of oppression, tired of intimidation, and tired of a government that uses security agencies as attack dogs against the opposition.”
Also speaking, the ADC candidate for the by-election, Mr Solomon Osho, expressed his dismay over the incident, describing it as unfair.
According to Osho, the party had chosen Tamotoye Roundabout in Ishara as their rally venue but were told by the Divisional Police Officer that the location could not be used on grounds that it would block the road.
“Other political parties have used the same venue in the last two days without any problem. Why are we being prevented? This is not democratic,” he lamented.
The disruption comes amid growing tensions ahead of the crucial by-election, as the ADC seeks to make inroads in a region traditionally dominated by other parties. The Ogun State Police Command has yet to respond to the allegations.
