Following the attack on their campaign train in Ososa, Odogbolu, Ogun State, the State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that no matter the attack, harassment and intimidation would stop the party’s victory come 2027.
The PDP State Chairman, Hon. Abayomi Tella made the disclosure at the party’s secretariat, Abeokuta, the state capital.
The Tracker leanrnt that the incident occurred on Wednesday during the party’s Ogun East campaign flag-off, which began peacefully as party supporters moved from various local government areas through Ijebu-Ode towards Odogbolu.
According to Tella, trouble started when the last batch of vehicles in the convoy reached Ososa, where hoodlums allegedly attacked the convoy with gunshots and stones, disclosing that several vehicles were vandalised and some party members sustained injuries in the attack.
He said that the party’s members were subjected to political harassment, he stressed that the party faithful will remain resolute in the face of intimidation.
Tella disclosed that the PDP is too united to be distabilised, insisting that the party will remain unwavering in its commitment to emancipate the people of the State.
His words “The PDP is too united to be destabilised. We will remain unwavering in our commitment to emancipate and liberate the people of Ogun State.
No amount of this stance can destabilise us. We are resolute to liberate the people of Ogun State, and we will do that with the power of the people”.
He noted “Yes, it is normal that some six months ago, so many claims that this party was dead were made by the ruling party. But in the last two to three months, they have now discovered that PDP has become Jesus Christ, who rose from the dead, and we are waxing stronger.
That has sent jitters into their camp. We expect so many things that they will do, but with God and the Ogun State people on our side, we shall conquer.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State faced more than this, even as a governor. At the end of the day, you can see the power of the people. The power of the people in Ogun State will happen”.
Tella, alleged that despite the harassment, several party members were still arrested, adding that the attackers also shot at campaign vehicles of PDP.
Tella said the incident occurred after the party was allegedly prevented from holding its campaign rally at Idowa, despite having secured approval and paidN170,000 for the venue.
He, however, alleged that the monarch later stopped the rally hours before it was scheduled to commence, forcing the party to move the event to Odogbolu.
Tella further alleged that the campaign convoy encountered another obstruction at Idowa, where a gate on a government road was reportedly locked against the party.
He said “We met Olotu, and he gave approval for us to use the venue and provided the community account into which we paid the required sum of N170,000. We have the payment receipt available with us. Our campaign train was blocked by hoodlums who said they had instructions from the Kabiyesi that we should not be allowed to pass through Idowa”.
Tella said, “On getting to Ososa, the last batches of vehicles in the train were attacked with gunshots, stones and other weapons. Our people were able to escape.”
He said several vehicles were vandalised and some party members sustained injuries, adding that the matter was reported to the police.
He put the number of arrested members at not less than five or six, while noting that others were allegedly being sought.
“It is sad that the police have now arrested PDP members who are meant to be the complainants. These complainants are the people who were attacked, and they are our members. But they are the ones the police are now arresting, while the perpetrators of the attack against us have been left untouched.
At this time, I am very, very sure that not less than five or six have been arrested, and some are still being hunted,” Tella wondered.
The Ogun PDP Chairman, therefore, called on the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure that those responsible for the alleged attacks were identified.
He revealed that the party’s have pictorial and video evidences of the attack.
He also alleged that the party had been denied access to billboard spaces for its governorship campaign, claiming that other political parties were being allowed to erect billboards across the state.
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