PDP campaign disruption: Ogun community leaders exonerate monarch, call for investigation

The Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Sikiru Okuribido, has been exonerated by the Dagburewe-in-Council and Oloritun-in-Council of the community over allegation of stalling the campaign rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last Wednesday.

The Sobaloju of Idowu, High Chief Yusuf Olatunji Olusanya, who addressed newsmen at Idowa Town Hall, in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State, on Tuesday, denied the allegation, saying the traditional ruler remains a father to all candidates of different political parties.

Olusanya, flanked by other community heads, religious leaders and security agents, maintained that Oba Okuribido did not at any point in time instruct anyone to stop the PDP campaign train from entering Idowa nor participated in any alleged destruction or violence associated with the incident.

The leaders, through, Olusanya, urged the police and other relevant security agencies to conduct an impartial investigation and establish what transpired on the fateful day.

The High Chief said truth should be determined through eyewitness accounts, police records, bank transactions, photographs, videos and other available evidence.

Recall that the PDP at a press conference, last Friday, alleged that it had initially planned to hold its campaign flag-off in Idowa but was prevented from using the venue.

The party claimed that it paid N170,000 for the venue of the rally, but was later informed that the designated venue was not available.

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“Oba Dagburewe occupies a traditional position that transcends party politics.

“If anyone alleges that His Royal Highness stalled a political rally or aided the destruction of property, the proper thing is to present the evidence to the appropriate authorities,” he added.

Chief Olusanya further informed that there was also no formal notification letter from the party to their knowledge, sent to the community or palace informing them of the proposed campaign visit.

The councils described allegations of gunshots, looting and destruction of vehicles as serious issues that should be investigated rather than treated as political exchanges.

They also called for clarification over conflicting accounts concerning the movement of the campaign train, noting that while one account suggested the campaign did not enter Idowa, another indicated that it passed through Ososa and Idowa on its way to Ijebu-Ode.

The councils further asked the police to investigate allegations concerning the reported shooting of the son of one Sakiru Bello.