The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ogun state chapter, has raised the alarm over the state government and ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) allegedly intimidation and silence of opposition parties ahead of the November 16 local government elections.
Speaking at a press conference at the PDP Secretariat in Abeokuta, PDP Chairman Abayomi Tella claimed that there have been deliberate attempts to prevent opposition parties, particularly the PDP, from participating in the elections.
Tella cited previous attempts, including the disruption of the PDP’s party congress and the presentation of parallel candidate lists to the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), which according to him failed.
The Chairman cited a recent court case challenging the membership of PDP local government chairmanship candidates, questioning the motivation behind the suit.
“Why institute a case about the membership of candidates sponsored by the party when OGSIEC is not complaining?” he asked.
“It has become very necessary that we react and inform the public on the many deliberate and desperate attempts by the state government and the ruling party to silence and prevent opposition parties, particularly our party, PDP to participate in the Saturday, November 16 local government elections in Ogun State.”
He also expressed concerns about the judge assigned to the case, stressing his past affiliation with the APC and Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration.
Tella reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to the rule of law and its expectation of true justice.
He appealed to the people of Ogun State to support the PDP’s candidates and urged the State Electoral Commission to ensure a free and fair election.