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Public Order: Thugs invade Ogun Election Tribunal, attack politicians, journalists, others

Gangs of Political Thugs on the Rampage

*Over 100 suspected political thugs early Monday, June 5, 2023, reportedly carried sticks, and other dangerous objects to scare opposition party members from accessing the governorship election petition tribunal, sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Suspected political thugs Monday, June 5, 2023, besieged the governorship tribunal sitting at the Magistrate Court, in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

It was gathered an eyewitness account disclosed the thugs, numbering over 100 were seen with sticks, and other dangerous objects to scare opposition party members from accessing the court premises.

The heavy security presence at the court as early as 7a.m., however, did not prevent the thugs as there were seen having a free day and beating up perceived opposition party members from the court, according to report.

Report further noted that journalists also were not spared in the ensuing confusion, as they were almost beaten up, but for the timely intervention of a known party stalwart who informed the thugs they were members of the press.

As it is the case in some other states of the Federation, the Ogun State Governorship Tribunal sitting is expected to determine, among other things, the true winner of the March 18 governorship election, in which incumbent Governor (Prince) Dapo Abiodun was declared winner for a second term of four years.

However, Governor Abiodun’s electoral victory is being challenged by Ladi Adebutu, Governorship Candidate of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the ‘Gateway State’.

It is recalled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had announced that Abiodun polled 276,298 to defeat his closest rivals Ladi Adebutu of the PDP who scored 262,383 as well as Biyi Otegbeye of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who polled 94,754 votes.

Following the declaration of election results, Adebutu has asked the tribunal to direct INEC to conduct a fresh election in 99 polling units in 41 wards and 16 of the 20 Local Government Areas of the state, report stated.

He also alleged that election neither held not was cancelled in some polling units due to disruption of the exercise and over-voting during the election.

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