World News, Current Affairs, Interviews, Event Coverage
IGP Orders Investigation into Alleged Electoral Misconduct by Ogun State Governor
…By Lola Smith for TDPel Media. The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, has taken action by ordering an investigation into allegations leveled against the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun.
Advertisement
The accusations claim that Abiodun utilized N5 billion in bank-linked vouchers to sway the outcome of the March 18 gubernatorial election.
Petition Lodged by PDP Governorship Candidate
The petition was lodged by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu.
Adebutu alleges that Abiodun, along with the All Progressives Congress (APC), engaged in vote buying, electoral violence, and voter intimidation during the election.
Claims of Vote Buying and Pre-Loaded Gift Cards
According to Adebutu’s lawyer, Ehi Uwaifoh, the governor is accused of enticing voters with pre-loaded gift cards worth N10,000 and N5,000 each.
The petition argues that the N5 billion spent on these cards exceeds the N1 billion financing limit established by the Electoral Act, 2022.
IGP Directs Ogun Police Command to Investigate
A letter from Idris Abubakar, the principal staff officer to the Inspector General, instructs the Ogun State police command to investigate the alleged vote-buying scheme.
Advertisement
The directive from the Inspector General states that the complaint should be thoroughly examined and the findings reported.
Governor Abiodun’s Response Awaited
As of now, Governor Abiodun has not responded to the allegations made against him.
Accusations of Armed Thugs and Tribunal Disruptions
Adebutu’s petition lists 16 individuals who are alleged to have been involved in using armed thugs to intimidate PDP supporters and voters.
It is reported that these suspected APC supporters also disrupted the tribunal hearing that was reviewing the legitimacy of Abiodun’s election victory.
Previous Complaints Ignored by the IGP
Adebutu had previously accused the Inspector General of Police of disregarding his complaint regarding suspected vote-buying and other electoral misconduct by Governor Abiodun.
The police declared the governorship candidate “at large” in a lawsuit where Adebutu and nine others are being charged.
