PDP accuses police of hiding report of investigation of Governor Abiodun

The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the local police command of withholding the investigation report regarding alleged vote buying by the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the recent governorship election.

Sikirulahi Ogundele, the Chairman of the PDP in Ogun, made this claim during a press conference held at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta.

Ogundele demanded that the Commissioner of Police in Ogun, Abiodun Alamutu, publicly release the report within 72 hours, concerning the allegations of vote buying leveled against the ruling party.

Earlier, in June, a petition was submitted by Adebutu, a PDP member, to the Inspector General of Police, alleging that his opponent engaged in

vote buying and electoral violence during the governorship election.

FRESHREPORTERS learned Ogundele revealed during the press conference that their petition was filed during the tenure of the previous Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba, but had not been concluded at that time.

The chairman also claimed that they had reliable information indicating that the investigation had been completed, but the police command had refused to disclose the findings to the public.

According to Ogundele, the opposition party was aware of alleged pressure being exerted by the APC on the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, and his officers to suppress the release of the investigation report ordered by the previous Inspector General of Police, Baba Alkali, based on the PDP’s petition dated May 2, 2023.

Ogundele disclosed that the APC utilized a company called “One Card Nigeria Limited,” owned by Mr. Tunde Odulaja, to load prepaid credit cards with large sums of money, which were then used to purchase votes.

He asserted that the police had interrogated numerous witnesses, gathered substantial evidence, and concluded the investigation, but they were withholding the findings and report.

Regarding the petition filed by the APC against the PDP candidate, Ogundele questioned the quick release of the report by the police without conducting interviews or obtaining statements from those who were accused of involvement in vote buying.

The PDP also criticized the Federal Ministry of Justice for its alleged unprofessional conduct and abuse of prosecutorial powers.

They accused the ministry of charging their governorship candidate, Adebutu, and other supporters based on an incomplete and inadequate investigation report, despite lacking the authority under Section 145(2) of the Electoral Act 2022 to prosecute electoral offenses.

Ogundele warned that if the Commissioner of Police did not release the investigation report within 72 hours, they would take appropriate action against him.

When contacted for a response, the Ogun police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, claimed to be unaware of the matter and stated that her boss had not informed her about it.

She declined to comment further, mentioning that she prefers to address heinous crimes and matters that local police officers can report in remote areas.

Tunde Oladunjoye, the Publicity Secretary of the APC, dismissed the PDP’s claims as falsehoods. He advised the Ogun PDP and its governorship candidate to cease wasting their time on a futile battle and focus instead on defending themselves against serious criminal charges, to which many of their accomplices have already confessed.