Former Governorship aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Otunba Segun Showunmi, was on Monday, June 5, beaten with sticks by thugs just before the state’s Election Petition Tribunal began its sitting in Abeokuta, the state capital.
Daily Trust reported that before the tribunal commenced hearing of the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, against Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the road leading to the venue, Magistrates’ Court, Isabo, was condoned off by a combined team of security operatives.
However, a large number of thugs were at the tribunal venue to support their political parties. Segun arrived the court when a minor clash broke out between supporters of two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Upon introducing himself to the security agents manning the gate, the thugs descended on him with sticks. Other political party supporters were also beaten in the ensuing violence.
It took the intervention of fully armed security operatives, comprising the police, DSS and Civil Defense to disperse the thugs before peace could be restored. The security operatives also prevented political supporters from entering the court premises.
Inside the court, Adebutu’s lead counsel, Chris Uche, SAN, told the Tribunal that a large number of the petitioner’s supporters were shut out from observing the session. He stated that since the live transmission of the hearing had been barred, there should be enough provisions for the litigants to observe the session.
