Concerned members of the Ogun East Senatorial District chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have accused Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Ogun State leadership of the party of allegedly orchestrating intimidation, harassment and voter suppression ahead of the senatorial primary election scheduled for Monday, May 18, 2026.
The allegations were contained in a petition dated May 13, 2026 and addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the Inspector General of Police and the Ogun State Commissioner of Police.
In the petition, the aggrieved members claimed that loyalists and supporters of former governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel were being systematically targeted and prevented from participating in party activities across the nine local government areas in Ogun East Senatorial District.
The petitioners alleged that some party executives, reportedly acting on directives from the Ogun State APC structure loyal to Governor Abiodun, had been harassing and intimidating perceived political opponents during ward meetings ahead of the direct primary election.
They also called on the Ogun State APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, as well as state, local government and ward executives, to immediately stop what they described as anti-democratic practices capable of destabilising the party.
According to the concerned members, several genuine party loyalists had allegedly been threatened and warned against participating in the forthcoming primary election.
They further claimed that intelligence reports pointed to plans to deploy thugs to designated voting centres in order to intimidate voters and suppress participation during the exercise.
The group warned that failure to urgently address the situation could lead to violence, voter victimisation and a breakdown of law and order, which could ultimately damage the image and integrity of the APC nationwide.
“We respectfully call on the National Chairman to urgently call the Ogun State Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, alongside the State, Local Government and Ward Executives to order before this dangerous trend degenerates into a full-blown crisis,” part of the petition read.
The petitioners also appealed to President Tinubu, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to investigate the allegations and ensure adequate security before, during and after the primary election.
They insisted that no innocent party member should be harassed, intimidated, disenfranchised or subjected to violence anywhere within Ogun East Senatorial District during the exercise.
The concerned APC members further demanded that neutral officials and individuals of proven integrity be deployed by the national leadership of the party to supervise the direct primary election across the 103 wards in Ogun East.
They maintained that the integrity, dignity and democratic reputation of the APC must not be sacrificed for desperation, intimidation and abuse of power.
The petition was signed by “Concerned APC Members of Ogun East Senatorial District.”