The Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 election in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, on Friday, has described recent detention of his personal assistant, Gafar Asaolu, by the Police as an abuse of political office.
Asaolu was arrested recently following the clash during the November 16 Local Government election in the state.
Adebutu in a statement personally signed on Friday expressed concern over his aide’s trial.
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Hon. (Dr) Oladipupo O. Adebutu KJW, FCPA
MEMBER, 8TH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPRESENTING IKENNE/SAGAMU/REMO NORTH FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY
DETENTION OF GAFAR ASAOLU WAS AN ABUSE OF POLITICAL OFFICE
Brethren, Once again, I have cause to express my appreciation to the continued quest of those that would improve our institutions. It is without gainsaying that the last few weeks has been a period of unprecedented abuse of political office.
I seize the opportunity to extend my courtesies once again to the judiciary in protecting the rights of an innocent citizen of Nigeria, my Personal Assistant and protege, Gafar Asaolu.
We have diligently obtained the Certified True Copies (CTC) of all the statements made by the actors in this matter for adjudication and it is clear that Gafar Asaolu was at no time mentioned as an assailant. Somehow and for reasons best known to the police, they allowed themselves to be used in usurping the rights of an innocent citizen by unnecessarily concocting charges that were not in consonance with the reality of the event that transpired on November 16th, the day of the Local Government Elections.
While I will not want to delve too much into this matter now for fear of being subjudice, it must be said that we appreciate the Court in its wisdom, acknowledged that this matter was essentially political because the facts already ascertained will make it difficult to detain Gafar Asaolu for the prolonged period that he had already been detained.
However, this is a matter for another day. The issue is we dare ask what happened to hundreds of Billions that accrued to the third tier of Government. Two hundred and Fourteen Billion naira in 52 months, that records are available. The desperation to conceal this information and perpetuate the wanton rape of resources of the third tier drives the machiavellian tendency to keep control of the Local Governments by all means has taken this dimension. We will not be cowed or coerced into silence, we will not retreat from our role today as the opposition party, we will continue to ask questions in the hope that we can stimulate for the benefits of our democracy for our people with the expectation that we can arrive at a transparent, moral, just and good governance in Ogun State.
I also seize this opportunity to thank the good people of Ogun State and fellow Nigerians that have expressed great empathy in this matter in the believe that tyranny shall not prevail and we shall have a greater country tomorrow.
Thank You.
Hon. (Dr) Oladipupo O. Adebutu, KJW, FCPA
