N170,000 ‘Protecrion Fee’ Saga: Ogun monarch denies stopping PDP campaign
By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta
The Dagburewe-in-Council has refuted allegations that Oba Sikiru Kayode Okuribido, the Dagburewe of Idowa, obstructed the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) campaign rally in the community after the party paid a “protection fee” of N170,000.
At a press conference on Tuesday, the council stated that the monarch did not facilitate any destruction of property during the PDP’s campaign activities, which took place on September 16. Officials emphasized that Oba Okuribido neither ordered anyone to prevent the PDP campaign from entering Idowa nor engaged in any acts of violence or destruction.
The briefing, attended by members of the Oloritun-in-Council, religious leaders, and security representatives, aimed to clarify the council’s position on the incident. Chief Yusuf Olatunji Olusanya, speaking on behalf of the council, called for an unbiased investigation by the police and relevant authorities into the events surrounding the campaign rally. He urged them to rely on eyewitness accounts, police documentation, and other relevant evidence to determine what transpired.
The controversy originated from the PDP’s planned campaign activities in the Odogbolu Local Government Area. The party claimed it had intended to hold its campaign kickoff in Idowa but was barred from using the venue. According to previous reports, the PDP alleged it had paid N170,000 to reserve the location only to be denied access.
Olusanya contested these claims, asserting that Oba Okuribido did not interfere with the rally and urged individuals making accusations against the monarch to provide verifiable evidence rather than circulating unsubstantiated claims on social media.
He addressed the serious allegations of gunfire, looting, and vehicle damage, stating such matters must be investigated rather than dismissed as mere political banter. He urged security agencies to verify whether the PDP campaign actually entered Idowa on the specified date, as well as to clarify the campaign’s approved itinerary and security measures.
The council also requested investigations into reports regarding the alleged shooting of the son of one Sakiru Bello, commonly known as Omoh. They called for authorities to ascertain the details surrounding the incident, including when and where it occurred and who may have been responsible.
Further discussions raised concerns about an alleged arrest of Bello related to the posting of PDP promotional material, as well as claims of a N50,000 payment linked to his release. The council suggested that police records and financial evidence be reviewed to confirm these allegations.
Investigators were also urged to examine the circumstances of the purported N170,000 payment intended for the use of the campaign venue. Olusanya indicated that the originally agreed fee was N30,000, raising questions about the additional payment and the subsequent refund request made by Oyinlola Odufuwa, who reportedly had not collected the cheque.
The PDP had previously maintained that despite depositing N170,000 into a community account with permission to use the venue, access was denied mere hours before the event was scheduled to occur.
In closing, Olusanya admonished political entities and community members to refrain from involving the traditional institution in party politics, emphasizing that Oba Okuribido’s role transcends political affiliations. He called for all parties to focus on uncovering the truth, stating that those found guilty should be held accountable regardless of their political ties.
The council reiterated its demand for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the incidents of September 16, urging that documented evidence be prioritized over hearsay.
