The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ondo State has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of massive electoral malpractice during last Saturday’s local government election.
Speaking to journalists, the SDP Chairman, Barrister Gbenga Akinbuli, called for the cancellation of the election, citing various irregularities. He highlighted the lack of credibility in the process, including the non-provision of Form ECA, the use of ordinary sheets of paper for alleged election results in Odigbo and Ile-Oluji by officials of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC), ballot stuffing, and alleged partiality by the police.
Akinbuli further accused the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Ore Division, Babatunde Emmanuel, of colluding with APC supporters to intimidate SDP members. He claimed the DPO facilitated acts of thuggery by APC loyalists and sanctioned the unlawful arrest of SDP candidates who resisted the alleged “electoral robbery.”
According to Akinbuli, video evidence shows the DPO supervising the brutal assault of the party’s chairmanship candidate in the area, Hon. Jimmy Akiyan, who is currently hospitalized due to the injuries sustained.
The party has called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Ondo State Police Command to immediately dismiss the DPO for bias and misconduct, which they say tarnishes the reputation of the Nigerian Police Force. The SDP also emphasized its readiness to provide video evidence to support its claims.
Akinbuli further condemned the inadequate deployment of security personnel during the election, which he said enabled the APC to molest opposition members and manipulate the process.
