Afolabi Orekoya, media aide to Oladipupo Adebutu, the former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, has denied allegations that his principal was arrested and detained by the Ogun State Police Command.
In a statement on Tuesday, Orekoya dismissed claims made by Lekan Adeniran, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun, as politically motivated and baseless.
Adeniran had alleged that Adebutu was re-arrested following his release by the Department of State Services.
The allegations centred on disturbances during the local government elections held on November 16 in Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area.
The Ogun State government accused Adebutu of deploying unauthorised police officers from Lagos and coordinating PDP supporters to disrupt the elections. It was further alleged that the officers fired shots at Mohammed Efuwape, the newly elected Vice Chairman of Ikenne Local Government, and a voter identified as Biola.
Orekoya rejected these accusations, stating, “It is a big shame that this is the kind of people we have in the Ogun State government. They devote precious time that should be used for the development of the state to chasing one man, looking for ways to silence him.”
He described the claims as a smear campaign by the state government, adding, “It is a known fact that this government thrives on manufactured lies, deceiving the innocent people of Ogun State and the entire country.”
Orekoya reassured the public that Adebutu was not in police custody, clarifying, “I am confirming to the good people of Ogun State and the public at large that Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu is not kept in any police custody at all.
“He went on invitation by the Commissioner of Police to explain his part of the story of the mayhem caused by the APC and their thugs in Iperu-Remo on Saturday, November 16, during the so-called local government elections and to also show the legitimacy of the policemen attached to him by the Nigeria Police.”
He further explained, “He was well received by the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Abiodun Alamutu, and left the police headquarters immediately after interacting with the Commissioner. How can anyone call that detention?”
Orekoya criticised the Ogun State government for its alleged attempts to suppress opposition voices, stating, “This is just to let the public know the kind of people we have in government.
“They should be asked questions about why they are afraid of opposition when they claim in their imagination that there is no more opposition.”
The statement comes amid rising tensions in Ogun State following the controversial local government elections, which were marred by allegations of violence and irregularities.