The Olugbenga Edema Campaign Organisation of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) for the forthcoming off-cycle governorship election in Ondo State, yesterday, chided Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Chairman of Ilaje Local Council of the state, Toyin Ogungbure, over the arrest of its chieftain, Banji Orogbemi.

The campaign organisation, while demanding the immediate release of Orogbemi, accused Aiyedatiwa and Ogungbure of being intoxicated with power.Spokesperson of the campaign organisation, Oluwatosin Ayeni, in a statement, disclosed that Orogbemi was arrested for criticising Aiyedatiwa’s performance since he assumed office eight months ago, a situation, he said, had led to outcry from the people.

Ayeni said: “We view the governor’s actions as an abuse of power because such arbitrary arrests are unacceptable in a sane and democratic society.

“The arrest was allegedly executed through Toyin Ogungbure, the chairperson of Ilaje Local Council. After taking Orogbemi into custody, Ogungbure initially attempted to have him disciplined at the Forward Operation Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy. However, naval officers declined to participate in what they deemed an illegal act, prompting Ogungbure to shift her approach.

“Orogbemi was moved to Igbokoda Divisional Police Station, where Ogungbure ordered the police to deny him bail. This is not just about Orogbemi, it’s about the rights of every citizen.

“The arbitrary arrest of Banji Orogbemi is a clear indication that Aiyedatiwa cannot tolerate dissent. His administration has resorted to silencing voices of opposition.”

The campaign group, while urging the police to exercise neutrality, demanded investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest, stressing that the political leaders should be held accountable for their actions, particularly when they infringe upon the rights of citizens.

Meanwhile, Chief Press Secretary to Aiyedatiwa, Ebenezer Adeniyan, has described the allegation against the governor as spurious, false, and unfounded. Adeniyan said criticism had been a key part of democracy, and the state governor never took action against any criticism from either the opposition or individual since he assumed office.

He said: “We are not aware of anything of such. People criticise government everyday. How many have we arrested? This is just Edema looking for relevance where he has none.

“The governor does not order arrest of people. He is not a policeman; he does not have the power of arrest and does not arrest anybody. He has no hand in the arrest of anybody.”

IN another development, Chairman of the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ade Adetimehin, has disclosed that with the crisis within the party resolved, the APC is poised for victory in the forthcoming off-cycle governorship election in the state.

According to Adetimehin, the party used internal mechanisms to resolve a crisis that trailed its governorship primary in April. He said: “We have carried out extensive reconciliations, using party internal mechanisms. Today, all the governorship aspirants have set aside their differences, and we are all working for the flagbearer, Ayedatiwa.”