By DAYO ADESULU
OGUN— The controversy surrounding the alleged disruption of a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign movement in Idowa, Ogun State, has taken a new turn, with Honourable Yusuf Olatunji Olusanya coming to the defence of the Oba Dagburewe of Idowa, insisting that allegations linking the traditional ruler to the incident must be supported by verifiable evidence.
Olusanya, who spoke in defence of the monarch at a press conference, rejected allegations that Oba Dagburewe of Idowa stalled the PDP campaign visit, ordered the disruption of the political activity or aided the alleged destruction of vehicles and property.
He also called on the police and other relevant security agencies to investigate the September 16, 2026 incident and establish what actually happened.
The controversy followed claims surrounding a PDP campaign activity involving the party’s Ogun State governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu. Reports published after the incident said Adebutu’s campaign train was involved in a confrontation in the Odogbolu area.
Olusanya: “Let the facts speak”
Olusanya said the purpose of the press conference was not to engage the PDP or its supporters in a prolonged political argument but to prevent what he described as an attempt to drag the traditional institution of Idowa into partisan politics.
According to him, Oba Dagburewe neither instructed anyone to stop the PDP campaign nor received any directive from the government or a government agency to prevent the campaign train from entering Idowa.
He further questioned whether the palace or relevant community authorities received formal notification of the proposed campaign visit.
“His Royal Highness did not stall the rally, frustrate the campaign, nor aid the destruction of anybody’s property,” Olusanya said.
He argued that allegations of such magnitude should not be settled through social-media narratives.
Instead, he said, police records, eyewitness accounts, videos, photographs and other available evidence should determine the facts.
Community prayer preceded alleged confrontation
One of the key issues raised by Olusanya was what he said was happening in Idowa before the reported confrontation.
He disclosed that residents had gathered for a major interfaith prayer at the traditional prayer centre, located in an open area in front of the Idowa Central Mosque and Idowa Health Centre.
According to him, Christians, Muslims and traditional worshippers participated in the prayer, which started at about 10:00 a.m. and continued until shortly before 5:00 p.m.
Olusanya said the peaceful gathering formed the immediate background to the arrival of persons reportedly associated with the PDP campaign movement.
He therefore urged investigators to establish the sequence of events rather than relying on competing political narratives.
Campaign planning and notification questioned
The defence of Oba Dagburewe of Idowa also raised questions about the planning of the political activity.
Olusanya questioned why Idowa was selected for an event initially described as an Ogun East Mega campaign flag-off before reportedly being changed to an Odogbolu Local Government campaign flag-off.
He argued that Idowa was not the largest or most spacious community within the local government for hosting a major political gathering involving supporters from across Ogun East.
He also questioned whether proper notification was given to security agencies and relevant community authorities.
The questions come against the backdrop of the PDP’s ongoing campaign activities for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election. The party formally commenced its governorship campaign earlier in September, with Adebutu as its candidate.
Six questions Olusanya wants security agencies to answer
Rather than simply dismissing the allegations, Olusanya challenged the security agencies to establish the facts surrounding several disputed claims.
Among the questions are whether formal notification of the proposed campaign visit was submitted to the relevant security authorities and the palace.
He also asked investigators to establish whether Adebutu and his campaign team actually entered Idowa on September 16 and, if so, what their approved itinerary and security arrangements were.
Another major issue concerns an allegation that the son of one Sakiru Bello, popularly known as Omoh, was shot.
Olusanya asked the police to determine whether the shooting occurred, where it happened, who was responsible and the circumstances surrounding it.
He also raised questions about an alleged arrest involving Sakiru Bello over the pasting of PDP posters and claims concerning a ₦50,000 payment.
Similarly, he challenged allegations that Oba Dagburewe personally led a team that arrested four PDP members.
According to him, the police should establish whether such arrests occurred, who carried them out, under whose authority and where the alleged detainees were taken.
₦170,000 venue payment becomes another flashpoint
Olusanya also drew attention to a disputed payment reportedly connected to a venue intended for the political activity.
He said questions had been raised over an alleged ₦170,000 payment into community coffers despite an earlier agreement reportedly involving ₦30,000.
He further referred to an alleged ₦140,000 refund said to have been issued through a signed cheque bearing the name of Oyinlola Odufuwa.
According to Olusanya, the cheque was reportedly not collected after Odufuwa said she had travelled to Abuja.
He argued that the payment trail and banking records could help clarify the matter.
“Traditional institution must not be dragged into politics”
At the heart of Olusanya’s defence is the argument that the traditional institution should remain above partisan political disputes.
He said Oba Dagburewe occupies a traditional position that transcends party politics and should not be made a target of political disagreements without evidence.
“If anyone alleges that His Royal Highness stalled a political rally or aided the destruction of property, the proper thing is to present the evidence to the appropriate authorities,” he said.
At the same time, Olusanya said the position should apply to everyone involved.
He stressed that if an investigation establishes that any person, irrespective of political affiliation, committed an offence, that person should face the law.
PDP’s account remains part of the controversy
The dispute comes amid competing accounts surrounding the September 16 political activity.
Adebutu was reported to have spoken at a PDP rally in Odogbolu Local Government Area on September 16, while reports also carried allegations concerning restrictions on PDP campaign activities and an alleged attack involving the campaign convoy. The APC rejected aspects of the PDP’s account and called for investigation.
That conflicting narrative makes an independent investigation particularly significant.
Rather than treating either side’s account as established fact, the outstanding questions identified by Olusanya can be tested against police reports, financial records, videos, photographs, eyewitness accounts and other evidence.
Why This Matters
The Idowa controversy goes beyond a disagreement between political actors.
At stake is also the relationship between political campaigns and traditional institutions in local communities, particularly during an increasingly active pre-election period in Ogun State.
With the 2027 governorship contest already generating political activity across the state, disputes over campaign access, security arrangements and the role of traditional rulers could become increasingly sensitive.
For the people of Idowa, the central question is therefore straightforward: what actually happened on September 16?
Olusanya’s position is that the answer should come from evidence, not political claims.
He concluded his appeal with a call for the relevant authorities to allow the facts to determine responsibility.
“Let the investigation speak. Let the evidence speak. Let the law prevail,” he said.
FAQs
Who defended Oba Dagburewe of Idowa?
Honourable Yusuf Olatunji Olusanya spoke in defence of the monarch and rejected allegations linking him to the disruption of the PDP campaign activity.
What happened in Idowa on September 16, 2026?
There are competing accounts concerning an alleged confrontation involving persons associated with a PDP campaign movement. Claims of gunshots, arrests, looting and property destruction have been raised, but the disputed allegations require investigation.
What is Olusanya asking the police to do?
He wants the security agencies to establish what happened, including whether the campaign entered Idowa, whether proper notification was given, and whether allegations of shootings, arrests and payments can be verified.
Did Oba Dagburewe admit stopping the PDP campaign?
No. The statement issued in his defence specifically rejects the allegation that the monarch stalled the rally or aided the destruction of property.
What happens next?
The matter now turns largely on evidence and the outcome of any investigation by the relevant security agencies.
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