The Dagburewe-in-Council of Idowa in Ogun State has categorically denied allegations that the local monarch, Oba Sikiru Kayode Okuribido, obstructed a campaign rally for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or participated in the destruction of property. The council stated that the traditional ruler did not instruct anyone to prevent the PDP campaign train from entering the community nor engage in any acts of violence associated with the incident on September 16.
Speaking at a press conference attended by religious leaders and security operatives, Chief Yusuf Olatunji Olusanya, the Sobaloju of Idowa, urged police and other security agencies to conduct an impartial investigation. He emphasized that the truth should be established through eyewitness accounts, police records, bank transactions, photographs, and videos, rather than relying on unverified reports circulating on social media.
The controversy stems from the PDP’s claim that it paid N170,000 to secure a venue in Idowa for its campaign flag-off in Odogbolu Local Government Area, but was prevented from using the facility hours before the event. However, Chief Olusanya stated that there was no formal notification letter sent to the community or the palace regarding the proposed visit. He further clarified that the agreed payment for the venue was N30,000, not the N170,000 cited by the party.
According to the council, a refund of N140,000 was approved via a signed cheque in the name of Oyinlola Odufuwa, who reportedly did not collect it because she had traveled to Abuja. Olusanya challenged those alleging the monarch’s involvement to produce verifiable evidence, stating that no government agency or individual instructed the monarch to stop the campaign train.
The council also addressed serious allegations of gunshots, looting, and vehicle destruction, describing them as matters requiring thorough investigation rather than political exchange. They called on authorities to determine if the campaign train actually entered Idowa and to investigate the reported shooting of the son of Sakiru Bello, popularly known as Omoh. Additionally, the council sought clarification on claims that Bello was arrested for pasting PDP posters and released after an alleged N50,000 payment, urging that police and banking records be used to verify these events.
“We are not asking for favour. We are not asking for protection for anybody. We are asking for the truth,” the council said, urging security agencies to conduct a “thorough, impartial and transparent investigation” into the September 16 incident.
Chief Olusanya appealed to political actors and residents not to drag the traditional institution into partisan politics, noting that the monarch’s position transcends party affiliation. The council maintained that anyone found to have committed an offence should face the law irrespective of political affiliation, and warned against attempts to rewrite history through social media platforms.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
