The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu said the party has uncovered the plan by All Progressives Congress APC in the state to import thugs into the state to intimidate, harass voters and prevent them from voting.
Adebutu made the allegation while addressing PDP supporters at a mega rally held in Pansheke, Abeokuta, to mark the end of his governorship campaign.
The PDP governorship candidate had earlier moved round Abeokuta metropolis, accompanied by Segun Showunmi and other chieftains of the party.
He said Gov. Dapo Abiodun and APC were afraid of the growing popularity of the PDP, saying the PDP would not allow the governor and his party unleash their thugs on the State.
According to him, eight persons suspected to be political thugs were arrested in a hotel in Iperu, the hometown of the governor on Tuesday.
Adebutu appealed to the people to remain calm and ensure they come out en masse on Saturday and vote according to their conscience.
He also called on the people report activities of thugs to security agencies.
“Don’t be scared, we are aware of their (APC) plan to bring in thugs into the State to intimidate people from voting, but don’t be scared.
“I want to assure you that the security operatives are already arresting some of their thugs. Today (Tuesday), eight among the thugs were arrested from where they were hiding in the roof of a hotel in Iperu.
“Be assured that all of them will be arrested, just inform me when you notice suspicious movement of thugs or people of questionable character, we will ensure that they do not unleash their thugs on the people of Ogun State.
“If you notice any strange movement of thugs in your area, please let me know, send me the address and we shall report to the appropriate authority.
“The government at the central is against thuggery and election manipulation, everyone must be allowed to vote according to their conscience.
“We will call them in Abuja and report their violence act to the appropriate authority. Go all out and vote without fear.
“Stay and protect your votes, let them count your votes and ensure that the results are uploaded, once your votes are counted and uploaded, I can assure you that your vote will count and we will have good governance in Ogun State.
“We have worked hard, this party has worked hard and we shall take you back to good governance.
“All is well with us, what we want you to do on Saturday is to open your arms and receive all the new entrants and we vote in unison to save Ogun State from total chaos, destruction and bad governance.
“Where they cheated us with BVAS in the last election, we have taken note of them and we have moved to make sure that such does not happen again.”
In a swift reaction, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Abiodun, Mr Kunle Somorin , said the allegations were baseless and presumptuous lamentation of a banal, reckless and rejected aspirant.
He noted that Adebutu was already bemoaning his impending defeat and looking for who to blame for his anticipated landslide loss
