The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has alleged that some of its members were abducted during overnight raids in Ikere-Ekiti, accusing the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji of using security agencies to intimidate opposition supporters ahead of the June 20 governorship election.

The allegations were made on Sunday by the PDP deputy governorship candidate, Ayodeji Ogunsakin, during a press conference in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Ogunsakin claimed that unidentified men, allegedly operating under the guise of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), stormed several homes in Ikere-Ekiti around 2 a.m. on Sunday and forcefully took away residents, leaving their families distressed.

According to him, efforts to locate those allegedly taken away have been unsuccessful, as neither the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police nor the RRS command could account for their whereabouts.

“As I speak to you, our lawyer has been to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), but could not locate any of the people arrested. We do not know where they are. Their homes were invaded, doors broken, and they were taken away like criminals,” he said.

The PDP deputy governorship candidate alleged that the operation was part of a broader campaign of intimidation against opposition members, particularly supporters of the party’s former governorship candidate, Olusola Eleka, who is from Ikere-Ekiti.

He further claimed that several PDP members had been arrested and detained in recent months on what he described as trumped-up charges, while others remained in custody over matters linked to their political activities.

Ogunsakin specifically referenced the continued detention of some party supporters from Ikere-Ekiti and Ikole-Ekiti, alleging that they were targeted because of their support for the opposition.

He also accused some politicians and security operatives of harassing members of Eleka’s family, claiming that in one instance, individuals apprehended during an incident were later released while the complainant was arrested.

The PDP chieftain called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure the protection of lives, property and democratic rights in Ekiti State.

He argued that political opposition should not be criminalised in a democratic society and that citizens must be free to support candidates of their choice without fear of arrest, harassment or intimidation.

“The president is a democrat and a father to all Nigerians. It cannot be in his interest to see people being harassed, intimidated or abducted because of their political beliefs,” Ogunsakin said.

He warned that continued harassment of opposition members could increase political tension ahead of the governorship election and urged security agencies to investigate the alleged raids and reveal the whereabouts of those reportedly taken away.

Ogunsakin maintained that the PDP would continue to resist what it described as attempts to undermine democratic processes in the state and demanded the immediate release of all party members allegedly being detained unlawfully.

Reacting to the allegations, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Biodun Oyebanji, Yinka Oyebode, dismissed the claims as baseless and politically motivated.

Oyebode said the state government does not interfere in judicial processes and insisted that security agencies are focused on addressing security challenges, including the rescue of kidnapping victims.

“Governor Biodun Oyebanji is a leader who runs an inclusive administration. He allows opposition to fester; he does no harm to opposition. That has continued even through these electioneering sessions. So, whatever the candidate of PDP says can be likened to a beer parlour allegation,” he said.

The governor’s aide described the PDP’s allegations as cheap political blackmail and rejected claims that the administration was involved in the alleged arrests or intimidation of opposition members.