DSS Arrests Ogun PDP Ex-Gubernatorial Candidate Ladi Adebutu

The Department of State Services (DSS) in Ogun State has arrested Ladi Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) 2023 governorship candidate, in connection with allegations surrounding the recent local government elections.

According to reports, Adebutu was detained over claims that he allegedly brought 40 “illegal policemen” from MOPOL 49 in Lagos to Ogun State on the day of the election. He is also accused of moving around the Ikenne Local Government Area alongside PDP supporters on motorcycles, purportedly attempting to snatch ballot boxes while wielding firearms and other weapons.

Kayode Adebayo, the PDP’s Publicity Secretary in Ogun, confirmed the arrest, stating that Adebutu was taken into custody for reasons yet to be disclosed. Efforts to secure his release as of 10 p.m. on Monday, November 18, 2024, were unsuccessful.

“The leader of the Peoples Democratic Party has truly been detained by the DSS for charges yet unknown. Several efforts have been made to secure his bail either on personal recognition or through a surety, but none has yielded results so far,” Adebayo said. He added that the party’s legal team would address the issue on Tuesday.

Adebayo urged party members and supporters to remain calm and assured them that the situation would be resolved peacefully. “Our principal has called for calm and directed all party members, supporters, and well-wishers to remain patient. This is one of the challenges we must face in our democracy,” he concluded.