JUST IN: NNPP petitions IGP, Arase, Abiodun over alleged intimidation of party excos in Ogun

The National Secretary of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Mr. Olaposi Sunday Oginni has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun over alleged harassment of the party’s executives by its former governorship candidate, Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo and the Ogun State police.

Oginni accused Police in Ogun state of being used by its former governorship candidate to arrest and detain the party executives in the state.

Oginni, in a petition addressed to the IGP dated February 22, 2024, and copied to the Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC), Solomon Arase and Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, indicated that Oguntoyinbo began harassing the executive members, through the instrumentality of the police after his failed attempt to stop the party from withdrawing its petition against Governor Dapo Abiodun and the APC on the March 18 governorship election matter.

He alleged that Oguntoyinbo is being vindictive following his expulsion from the party by the NNPP’s board and NEC in January.

He emphasized that, consequently upon his alleged rustication, Oguntoyinbo began to use police to harass party members and chieftains in Ogun State for congratulating Governor Abiodun after winning at the Supreme Court.

Oginni said Oguntoyinbo has at different fora boasted about his close relationship with the State Police Commissioner, Abiodun Alamutu.

The petition reads partly, “interestingly, this Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo was recently expelled by the Board and NEC of Our party on Sunday 30th of January, 2024 at a meeting held at Rockview Hotel, Apapa Lagos.

“Consequently he was seen going around threatening to fight back by using Police to harass NNPP’s members and chieftains in Ogun State for congratulating Prince Dapo Abiodun on his Supreme Court victory.

Reacting to the allegations, the State Public Relations Officer, (PRO) of the party, Omokehinde Olayemi Olowu, dismissed all the allegations as baseless and fabricated.

According to Olowu, Ambassador Ajadi’s leadership is commendable, and the allegations against him are fabricated by the expelled members seeking retaliation.

He discredited Oginni’s claim that Ajadi was using the Police to intimidate NNPP executives, stating that Police intervention were related to the verification of party and its members roles.

He said, the Police recent invitation of those who were illegally parading themselves as party executive is not harassment.

“The self-acclaimed party Chairman, Gabriel Somoye was invited by the Police to be interrogated and verified his acclaimed position.

“He honoured the invitation and was allowed to go home after promising to bring along all other petitioned members for interrogation and resolution of the dispute against the bonafide members of the party,” he said.

Olowu said Somoye never fulfilled his promise, rather called to say Oginni told him to lie that the petitioned members had traveled to Abuja.

Olowu emphasized that Prince Ibrahim Adekunle is the authentic chairman of the party in Ogun State.

He maintained that Ajadi has been a strength of the party not only in Ogun state but in the South West, saying he remains a dependable leader, saying that the gubernatorial candidate has remained steady and committed to the growth of the party in the country.

He argued that Oginni is impersonating the National Secretary’s office and emphasized that Dipo Olayokun is the legitimate office holder.

Olowu pointed out that Oginni was expelled for political misconduct and for selling party ideas to opposition parties, saying that he lacks credibility.

He emphasized that Oginni’s expulsion renders him unfit to speak for the party, highlighting his expulsion for anti-party activities.