Oyo: Election 2011: 2 feared dead, 68 arrested

Posted by admin Elections 2011, Oyo, State News Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

TWO persons were said to have been killed at Ajaawa area of Ogbomoso, Tuesday, during the governorship election as some people believed to be loyalists of the Peoples Democratic Party allegedly attempted to scare other party agents away from polling centres.

Though, information had it that 68 suspects were arrested, the state police command confirmed the arrest of three persons for their alleged involvement in electoral malpractices during the governorship election in the state.

30 suspects were arrested at Olomi area in Ibadan, 18 at Iseyin and 20 arrested at Ogbomoso.

According to Vanguard investigation, Senator Kamardeen Adedibu, a son of a deceased politician in the state was intercepted by soldiers at Mapo area of the city.

He was said to be loitering when he was challenged by the soldiers that he was not expected to move around during the election.

Maj. General Mohammed Abubakar, General Officer Commanding, 2 Div. Nigerian Army, Odogbo confirmed that when the senator was advised to turn back, he complied.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Saliu Hashimu said “three persons were arrested at Mapo area with some ballot papers. The three of them are at the State Criminal Investigation Department now”.

Meanwhile, with the exception of the pockets of trouble at Ogbomoso, the home town of Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, the election was generally peaceful with large turn-out of people in the state.

Many voters in Oyo town, Ogbomoso, Ibarapa and Oke-ogun areas trooped out and voted for candidates of their choice.

But, dismissing the alleged violence in Ogbomoso, the PDP state Secretary, Alhaji Bashiru Akanbi said the atmosphere was peaceful and the election was free and fair.

According to him, the Action Congress of Nigeria was only accusing the ruling party of the offence it was guilty of.

Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, the candidate of the Accord Party, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Action Congress of Nigeria candidate and Alhaji Lamidi Adesina all boasted that they would win the election.

-Vanguardwp_posts