Akeredolu: Police, DSS seal off PDP secretariat in Ondo over planned protest

Officers of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and the Department of State Services (DSS) have sealed off the secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akure, the Ondo state capital.

This comes after protesters from the opposition party handed Rotimi Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo, a 24-hour ultimatum to address the people of the state and a three-day ultimatum to return to the state or resign his position.

On June 7, Akeredolu embarked on a 21-day medical leave in Germany.

Before his trip to Germany, the governor had reportedly been discharging his duties from Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

Following his return from what became a three-month medical leave, Akeredolu has reportedly remained in Ibadan.

Kennedy Peretei, the PDP spokesperson in Ondo, had criticised Akeredolu for remaining in Oyo instead of the state he governs.

On Monday, Peretei said the party has the right to demand for the whereabouts of the governor if he is missing in action, adding that it was shocking to discover that staff of the party’s secretariat were denied access to their offices by over 400 armed officers.

“All we’ve asked for is very simple. Where is governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu? He was elected the governor of Ondo state, he did a failed four years and the second term is going without result,” Peretei said. 

“Even if he’s not going to do anything, let him come to Ondo state. If he’s not capable of ruling again, let him resign honorably.

“So, we are asking Akeredolu to resign or he resumes.”

On the sealing of the PDP secretariat, the party spokesperson said: “We were really embarrassed because the security agencies were fully notified because we don’t want a situation whereby PDP will be responsible for a breakdown of law and order”.

“But to our utmost shock, we saw security agencies with Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and their vehicles with about 400 personnel armed to the teeth at the front of our secretariat,” he said.

“However, it took frantic efforts of members of the PDP State Working Committee before the secretariat gate was opened amidst serious tension and confrontation.

“But as the PDP youths forced themselves into the secretariat, proceeding on a street protest would amount to daring the trigger-happy police to do their worst.

“As much as the officers tried to stop the protest, they failed because the youths displayed their banners and placards to journalists who gained entrance into the secretariat.

“I want to use this medium to appeal to the inspector-general of the Nigerian police and the commissioner of police, Ondo state command to immediately withdraw their men from our secretariat.

“We cannot be intimidated by security agents who are paid with taxpayers’ money. We have the right to demand for the whereabouts of the governor if he is missing in action.”

Reacting to the incident, Alex Kalejaiye, the spokesperson of the APC in the state, said the opposition is trying to create political instability. 

He added that the ruling party discovered plans by the PDP to instigate a crisis in Akure, adding that the opposition party intends to portray the APC in bad light ahead of the 2024 governorship election. 

“It has come to our knowledge that some PDP chieftains who have started making huge contributions, in collaboration with some players within our fold, have finalised plans to destabilise the sunshine state,” Kalejaiye  said.