Kehinde Fajobi
Ladi Adebutu, former governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, was released early Tuesday after being questioned by the Department of State Services (DSS).
His release was confirmed by Afolabi Orekoya, Adebutu’s media aide, according to Channels Television.
The confirmation of Adebutu’s arrest came on Monday from Kayode Adebayo, the PDP’s Publicity Secretary in Ogun State, following an official statement from the DSS in Abeokuta.
Adebutu, who contested in the 2023 governorship race in Ogun State, had been summoned by the DSS for questioning related to an incident during the recent local government elections on Saturday.
Adebayo released a statement assuring party members, saying, “This is to inform the members of our great party, The Peoples Democratic Party, that the leader of the party has truly been detained by the DSS for charges yet unknown.”
He added that Adebutu had urged supporters to remain calm, emphasizing that such challenges were part of the democratic process.
“However, our principal has called for calm and directed that all members of the party, supporters, and well-wishers should be rest assured that this time shall pass, it is one of the prices for our democracy,” Adebayo explained.
Attempts to secure Adebutu’s release on bail by 10 p.m. on Monday were unsuccessful. However, his lawyers were set to pursue further action on Tuesday morning.
The statement concluded, “We want our people and the general public to be duly informed about his whereabouts and to maintain calm and peace until this matter is resolved.”