31st March, 2023
By Yetunde Fatungase
Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun, has vowed to reclaim his “stolen mandate” at the election petition tribunal.
He said this while addressing members of his party, shortly after some PDP House of Assembly members-elect collected their Certificates of Return from INEC.
Adebutu lost to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Prince Dapo Abiodun, after poling 262,383 votes in the March 18, 2023 governorship election.
However, he rejected the results and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel it.
“The victory you all stood in line for, for hours, enduring the rigorous process of voting and risking your lives for has been stolen.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in unpatriotic connivance with the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and Governor Dapo Abiodun with security agencies provided support, brazenly rigged the results of the governorship and house of assembly elections.
“Specifically, the Nigeria Police and the military provided virile cover for gun-wielding criminals to disrupt and burn ballot boxes in over 100 polling units across the state.
“These polling units were strategically targeted as they are known strongholds of our party.”