The governorship candidate of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State for next month’s election, Mr Oladipo Adebutu, has accused Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, of meddling in the state’s politics to ensure victory for his party, the All Progressives Congress.
Adebutu, a member of the House of Representatives, has been at loggerheads with Senator Buruji Kashamu, whose faction also declared him as its governorship candidate for the state PDP.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Friday, Adebutu expressed dismay at what he described as the conduct of the VP, claiming that he had also urged him to instead contest the Senate.
He also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission of selectively obeying court orders and backing a minority section of the Ogun PDP by not obeying the court orders obtained by his faction of the party.
“The INEC could either publish both names or leave it blank. Vote suppression is a bad omen for democracy. What Osinbajo has done is painful. But we are determined to stay on this course until we achieve victory,’’ he stated.
Accusing the APC of being desperate to win the state at all cost, Adebutu accused the INEC of being an appendage of the state APC.
He noted that the court orders affirmed that the primaries not conducted by the party’s national working committee were null and void, adding that the INEC chose to do otherwise.
Reacting, Spokesperson for the Vice President, Mr Laolu Akande, described Adebutu’s claims as blatant falsehood.
He said, “Mr Adebutu should state the place, time and occasion where he met with the VP? And when did this discussion take place? This is blatant falsehood. The VP, as is well known, is busy doing his job and engaging Nigerians. He has neither time nor need to interfere (in Ogun politics) as is being falsely alleged.’’