Clement Adeyi, Osogbo
Armed policemen, yesterday, laid siege to the secretariat of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
Daily Sun gathered that the heavy presence of the policemen caused panic at Ote-Efun, Ikirun Road, in Biket area, where the secretariat is located.
When Daily Sun visited the secretariat, policemen were seen in their large numbers with patrol vans stationed at the entrance of the building.
The party Chairman, Soji Adagunodo, who confirmed the presence of the operatives, said the police authorities decided to deploy the officers in the secretariat to provide security, following a tip-off that the party members were planning a protest and needed security presence.
Adagunodo, however, debunked the protest rumour and insisted that it was the party’s executive members who were holding a meeting at the secretariat.
He said though they were not disturbed by the presence of the policemen, they were not invited by the party’s management.
“We saw a grand mobilisation of police to our secretariat this morning. Whatever the whole scenario turns out to be, we are not disturbed, we are not afraid. Their presence does not affect us as a political party.
“We received a call from the deputy commissioner of police that we were protesting. But, in contrary, we were not protesting. We’ve only been jubilating because of the victory of Senator Ademola Adeleke at the election petition tribunal.
“We are a law-abiding party and we will continue to jubilate till the time of judgment from the Appeal Court. The grand jubilation would come when the Supreme Court gives final judgment and when Adeleke is declared the governor.
“The All Progressives Congress (APC) people are jittery after they organised a protest in Osogbo last week, to kick against the election petition tribunal judgment that nullified Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s election. They thought we were going to organise a counter protest, but we said no.
“We don’t have any reason to protest. It is Nigerians who have been protesting the APC’s recent protest in the state. The social media have been awash with the protest, saying the APC protest was not necessary, and that is enough for us,” Adagunodo said.
He, however, commended the police for being professional during their stay at the secretariat and said they were doing their job.
Police Public Relations Officers for the state police command, Folasade Odoro, said the police were deployed to the secretariat to provide security and forestall any possible violence.