The governorship candidate of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo, Hon. Gbenga Edema, raised the alarm over alleged harassment and unlawful arrest of a chieftain of the party, Mr. Banji Orogbemi.
The Olugbenga Edema Campaign Organisation who made the allegation in a press statement specifically pointed an accusing finger at the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the Chairman of Ilaje local council, Ms. Toyin Ogungbure, of being behind the illegal arrest and detention of Orogbemi.
According to the Campaign Organisation in the statement signed by its spokesperson, Oluwatosin Ayeni said Orogbemi was arrested for criticising the performance of the governor in the last eight months since he assumed office, saying the situation is obvious in the state and had led to an outcry from the people.
Ayeni alleged Aiyedatiwa and Ogungbure of being intoxicated with power and said: “Orogbemi was apprehended after allegedly calling out Governor Aiyedatiwa for his administration’s lack of progress and accountability.
“We viewed the governor’s actions as an abuse of power because such arbitrary arrests are unacceptable in a democratic society.
“The arrest was executed through Ms. Toyin Ogungbure, the Chairperson of Ilaje Local Government. After taking Orogbemi into custody, Ogungbure initially attempted to have him disciplined at the Forward Operation Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy. However, naval officers declined to participate in what they deemed an illegal act, prompting Ogungbure to shift her approach.
“Orogbemi was transported to the Igbokoda Divisional Police Station, where Ogungbure ordered the police to deny him bail. We will not sit idly by while they abuse their powers. This is not just about Orogbemi; it’s about the rights of every citizen.”
“The arbitrary arrest of Mr. Banji Orogbemi is a clear indication that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa cannot tolerate dissent. His administration, marked by non-performance, has resorted to silencing voices of opposition instead of addressing the legitimate concerns of the populace.”
But when contacted the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Aiyedatiwa, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, denied the allegation that Governor Aiyedatiwa ordered the arrest of the NNPP chieftain, describing the allegation against the governor as spurious, false, and unfounded.
Adeniyan said criticism has been a key part of democracy, and the state governor never took action against any criticism from either opposition or individual since he assumed office.
He said the state governor is never aware of such arrest and said “We are not aware of anything of such. People criticise government everyday, how many have we arrested? This is just Edema looking for relevance where he has none.
“The governor does not order the arrest of people. He is not a policeman, he does not have the power of arrest and he does not arrest anybody. He has no hand in the arrest of anybody,”
However, Ayeni demanded an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest, stressing that political leaders should be held accountable for their actions, particularly when they infringe upon the rights of citizens.
Meanwhile, the incident, which occurred on Monday in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, sparked outrage among residents calling for the immediate release of Orogbemi, arguing that the arrest violates fundamental human rights and the principles of justice.
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