Ogun State By-election Ends in Tension and Accusations

The by-election for Remo Federal Constituency in Ogun State took place on Saturday, drawing attention as both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fought hard for control of the seat.

The election was held across Ikenne, Remo North, and Sagamu local governments, an area that has long been a political battleground between Governor Dapo Abiodun of the APC and PDP leader Oladipupo Adebutu.

The contest became crucial because of the history of rivalry between the two parties in Ogun politics. For the APC, it was an opportunity to tighten its grip on the state, while the PDP hoped to reclaim lost ground after the last governorship election. Princess Adesola Ayoola-Elegbeji flew the flag for the APC, while Oluwole Bolarinwa represented the PDP, repeating his role from 2023.

The election day began with large voter turnout and the presence of security operatives to keep order. However, drama soon unfolded when videos circulated online showing the arrest of the Ogun PDP chairman, some party members, and even INEC staff accused of being caught with cash in Iperu-Remo. The PDP leaders rejected the allegations, while one INEC staffer claimed in the footage that he collected the money on instructions from his superior.

Tensions escalated as the PDP accused the APC of using violence and intimidation to sway the process. According to the party, thugs disrupted voting in opposition strongholds, especially in Ilara-Remo where a supporter was reportedly shot. PDP candidate Oluwole Bolarinwa alleged that his polling unit was invaded by hired men, leaving him convinced that no proper election took place. The party also condemned security operatives for what it described as open bias and demanded the release of its chairman.

Governor Dapo Abiodun painted a different picture of the day. After casting his ballot in Iperu, he praised INEC and security agencies for what he called a peaceful exercise. He said materials arrived early and voters were able to carry out their civic duty without trouble, stressing that electoral management in Nigeria was improving.

Observers and analysts gave mixed assessments of the contest. Some believed that the APC had learned lessons from past elections and used its control of the state machinery to its advantage. Others cautioned that by-elections often do not mirror the dynamics of larger general elections, and warned that allegations of violence and voter suppression could erode public confidence in the system.

At the end of the day, APC’s Princess Adesola Ayoola-Elegbeji was declared winner. The result deepened the political rivalry between the APC and PDP in Ogun, while raising fresh questions about election credibility, security agency conduct, and the future of political competition in the state.