In a significant turn of events, the Inspector General of
Police, Usman Baba, has issued a directive to
the police commissioner in Ogun
state, Olanrewaju Oladimeji, to launch an investigation into Governor Dapo
Abiodun. The investigation is in response to allegations that Governor Abiodun
loaded a staggering sum of N5 billion onto bank-linked vouchers for the purpose
of buying votes during the gubernatorial poll held on March 18.
The directive came after Ladi Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic
Party’s governorship candidate in Ogun, filed a petition with the police chief,
accusing Governor Abiodun and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of engaging
in vote-buying, electoral violence, and the intimidation of voters. Represented
by his lawyer, Ehi Uwaifoh, Mr. Adebutu further claimed that Governor Abiodun
used the N5 billion to entice voters with pre-loaded top-up gift cards valued
at either N10,000 or N5,000 each.
According to Mr. Adebutu, the expenditure of N5 billion on
printing the cards and their associated costs goes against the financing
threshold stipulated by Section 88 of the Electoral Act, 2022, which mandates a
maximum of N1 billion. He argued that this blatant violation necessitates an
investigation into the matter.
In a letter dated May 8, signed by Idris Abubakar, the
principal staff officer to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Baba, the Ogun
police command was directed to conduct a thorough investigation into the
alleged multibillion-naira vote-buying scheme involving Governor Abiodun. The
letter states, “Attached herewith is a copy of a letter dated 2nd May 2023
received from Ehi Uwaifoh & Co, on the above-underlined subject. The
inspector-general of police directs that you deal with the complaint and report
findings. Accept the assurances of the inspector general of police’s warm
regards.”
Despite attempts to reach him, Governor Abiodun did not
respond to calls and messages made to his known phone number. It is worth
noting that the governor has not yet appointed a spokesperson since commencing
his second term in office.
In his petition, Mr. Adebutu, who is challenging Governor
Abiodun’s victory at the governorship election petitions tribunal, provided a
list of 16 individuals suspected of collaborating with Mr. Abiodun and the APC
chairman in Ogun. These individuals are believed to have orchestrated the
deployment of heavily armed thugs to attack PDP supporters and voters.
The Peoples Gazette previously reported on the incident
wherein suspected APC loyalists disrupted the tribunal hearing that sought to
challenge Mr. Abiodun’s victory.
Mr. Adebutu had previously accused the Inspector General of
Police of refusing to investigate his petition concerning suspected vote-buying
and other instances of electoral violence perpetrated by Governor Abiodun.
Meanwhile, the police command charged Mr. Adebutu, along with nine others, at
the Ogun State High Court on allegations of purchasing votes during the
election. According to the police, the governor is currently at large, implying
that he has not been apprehended as of yet.
