The Ogun State All Progressives Congress (APC) has characterized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a “nest of cultists” and has called for further investigation by security agencies to apprehend and curb the rising menace of cultism in the state.
Hon. Tunde Oladunjoye, the Publicity Secretary of the ruling APC, made this statement in a press release issued on Sunday in Abeokuta, the state capital. The party commended the recent arrest of PDP lawmaker Damilare Bello, also known as Dre, representing Sagamu Constituency I in the State House of Assembly, and five others. They urged security agencies not to leave any stone unturned in their investigation into the recent incidents of cult violence in Sagamu and other parts of the state.
The APC alleged that “notable members of the PDP in the state are allegedly involved in cultism as high-ranking members in their various local government areas.” They called on security agencies to closely monitor the meetings and activities of these PDP members in their constituencies.
The statement further accused the PDP of hypocrisy, noting that the same party that called on security authorities to do their job was now attempting to discredit those authorities after the arrest of their House of Assembly member and other alleged cultists. The APC emphasized the need to bring the culprits behind the Sagamu violence and bank burnings to justice.
The opposition party, in response, described the Ogun APC as a “hub of criminals and cultists,” alleging that the state, under Governor Dapo Abiodun, had become a haven for criminal activities.
The PDP cited incidents of alleged thuggery and violence during the Ogun Governorship Tribunal, as well as the arrest and conviction of a former aide of Governor Abiodun in the USA for embezzlement, as evidence of the APC’s alleged criminal involvement.
The PDP also accused the APC of using alleged cultists to disrupt the March 18 governorship elections in the state, claiming to possess a police report on the matter. Additionally, they referenced an EFCC charge against the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, alleging conspiracy, forgery, misappropriation of funds, budget padding, and money laundering.
The statement from the PDP urged the public not to be deceived by the APC’s actions, asserting that the PDP had consistently raised concerns about the activities of the state government.
