By-Election: PDP Alleges Intimidation, Arrests in Ogun, Calls for INEC Neutrality

The party also claims that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were detained, accusing security agencies of bias to favor the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to a statement by the PDP’s publicity secretary, the arrests occurred in the early hours of Election Day, with security operatives allegedly targeting party officials to disrupt their campaign efforts. 

The PDP described the arrests as a deliberate attempt to suppress opposition voices and undermine the electoral process. 

“This is a clear case of intimidation and harassment orchestrated to tilt the election in favor of the APC,” the statement read, calling for the immediate release of Ogundele and the affected INEC officials.

The bye-election, one of 16 constituency polls conducted across 12 states, was organized to fill the vacant seat in the Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency following the resignation of the previous representative. 

INEC deployed 30,451 staff nationwide to manage the elections, which involved 3,553,659 registered voters across 32 local government areas. 

Despite assurances from INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu for a free and fair process, the PDP alleges that security operatives colluded with APC agents to manipulate the outcome in Ogun State.

Eyewitnesses in Ikenne reported a heavy presence of security personnel, with movement restrictions enforced to curb vote-buying and electoral misconduct. 

However, the PDP claims these measures disproportionately targeted their supporters, citing incidents of voters being harassed at polling units. 

“We have evidence of security agents selectively intimidating our members while allowing APC operatives to move freely,” a party official stated.

The Ogun State Police Command, in a separate statement, confirmed the deployment of operatives to maintain order during the bye-election but denied allegations of bias. 

“Our role is to ensure a peaceful and credible election. All actions taken were in line with maintaining law and order,” said a police spokesperson.

The PDP has called on INEC to investigate the arrests and ensure neutrality in the collation and announcement of results. 

They also urged the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) to address what they describe as “the use of incumbency to disadvantage opposition parties,” echoing concerns raised by INEC Chairman Yakubu about access to public facilities during campaigns.

As results from the bye-election are being collated, tensions remain high in Ogun State, with the PDP vowing to pursue legal action if the process is deemed unfair. 

The outcome of this election is seen as a critical test of INEC’s commitment to upholding democratic principles amid growing concerns over electoral integrity in Nigeria.