Ekiti: Stop harassing opposition, you won’t be first incumbent to lose election — Ogunsakin tells Oyebanji

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, deputy governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Deji Ogunsakin, has advised Governor Biodun Oyebanji to prepare for defeat at the polls and stop what he described as the harassment of opposition members, saying he would not be the first incumbent governor to lose an election.

Ogunsakin made the remark while addressing journalists on Saturday at the Wole Oluyede Campaign Office in Ajilosun, Ado-Ekiti.

He urged Governor Oyebanji to desist from acts of intimidation and harassment against PDP members and accept what he described as the verdict of the electorate, attributing it to the alleged poor performance of the administration.

He told Oyebanji: “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 alleged that armed men operating under the guise of security agencies invaded homes of party members loyal to the PDP candidate in Ikere Ekiti and other communities, arrested and whisked them away to unknown locations.

Ogunsakin claimed that some of the victims were taken from their homes in the early hours of this morning while their families were left in distress and unaware 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 authorized their arrest,” he said.

The PDP chieftain described the situation as disturbing, worrisome and embarrassing, insisting that those arrested were neither informed of any offence nor officially charged before being taken away.

According to him, one of the affected persons is the chairman of the party in the ward of the PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Oluwole Oluyede.

Ogunsakin further alleged that a former commander of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, is currently coordinating an illegal security outfit known as “H-Squad”, which he accused of operating in police uniforms and carrying out unlawful arrests across the state.

He alleged that members of the outfit invade homes, intimidate political opponents, and create fear among residents under the cover of security operations.

The PDP deputy governorship candidate warned that continued harassment of opposition members could heighten political tension in the state, urging security agencies to investigate the alleged activities and immediately account for the whereabouts of those arrested.

He also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure the protection of lives, property, and democratic rights in Ekiti State.

“The President owes every Nigerian the responsibility of protecting lives and ensuring that democracy thrives. Political opposition should not be treated as criminals,” Ogunsakin stated.

He maintained that the PDP remained confident of victory in the forthcoming governorship election and accused the state government of attempting to suppress dissenting voices through intimidation.

Also speaking, a PDP leader, Chief Sanya Atofarati, condemned the alleged arrests, arguing that government should focus on addressing insecurity and kidnapping rather than targeting opposition members.

He said several kidnapped victims remain in captivity across the state and questioned why attention was being diverted to political opponents instead of tackling pressing security challenges.

Atofarati insisted that Ekiti people were yearning for good governance and change, expressing confidence that the PDP candidate, Dr. Oluwole Oluyede, enjoys widespread support across the state.

The PDP leaders called on security agencies and relevant authorities to investigate the allegations and ensure that democratic freedoms are protected ahead of the governorship election.