Deji Ogunsakin, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) deputy governorship candidate in Ekiti State, has advised Governor Biodun Oyebanji to prepare for defeat at the polls and stop what he described as harassment of opposition members, claiming that he would not be the first incumbent governor to lose an election.
Ogunsakin made the comment while speaking with journalists on Saturday at the Wole Oluyede Campaign Office in Ajilosun, Ado-Ekiti.
He encouraged Governor Oyebanji to stop intimidating and harassing PDP members and accept what he described as the electorate’s judgement, citing the administration’s purported poor performance.
Oyebanji said: “Stop intimidation and harassment of PDP members and accept defeat as your fate caused by abysmal performance of your administration, and this overwhelming defeat on June 20 cannot be reversed.”
Ogunsakin claimed that armed individuals posing as security agents broke into the homes of party members supporting the PDP candidate in Ikere Ekiti and other areas, arrested them, and transported them away to unknown locations.
Ogunsakin stated that several of the victims were abducted from their houses in the early hours of this morning, leaving their relatives in anguish and unsure of their whereabouts.
“We have contacted various security agencies, including the police and commanders of different units, but nobody has been able to tell us where these people are or who authorised their arrest,” he stated.
The PDP chieftain termed the situation as alarming, worrying, and embarrassing, claiming that individuals arrested were not told of any wrongdoing or officially charged before being taken away.
According to him, one of those affected is the party’s chairman in the ward of the PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Oluwole Oluyede.
Ogunsakin also claimed that a former commander of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, is currently directing an illegal security organization known as “H-Squad,” which he accuses of operating in police uniforms and making illegal arrests around the state.
He claimed that members of the organization infiltrate houses, intimidate political opponents, and instill terror among people under the guise of security operations.
The PDP deputy governorship candidate warned that continued persecution of opposition members could exacerbate political tensions in the state, calling security authorities to look into the alleged actions and quickly account for the whereabouts of those arrested.
He also urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and defend lives, property, and democratic rights in Ekiti State.
“The President has a responsibility to every Nigerian to preserve lives and ensure that democracy thrives. “Political opposition should not be treated as criminals,” Ogunsakin said.
He insisted that the PDP was certain of winning the upcoming governorship election and accused the state government of attempting to silence opposition voices through intimidation.
Chief Sanya Atofarati, a PDP leader, also spoke out against the purported arrests, claiming that the government should address insecurity and kidnapping rather than targeting opposition members.
He said that other kidnapped victims were in captivity around the state and questioned why attention was being devoted to political opponents rather than addressing serious security issues.
Atofarati stated that Ekiti people wished for good government and change, and expressed confidence that the PDP candidate, Dr. Oluwole Oluyede, has extensive support throughout the state.
The PDP leaders urged security services and appropriate authorities to examine the accusations and defend democratic rights ahead of the governorship election.