There was anxiety, Monday, at the Ogun state Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Isabo area of Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, following the invasion of the premises by suspected political thugs.

The thugs suspected to be supporters of the all Progressives Congress, APC, stormed the court and its environment, armed with canes with which opposition members were flogged out of the premises.

The barricade at both ends of the Isabo Junction-Kuto road could not stop the political thugs roving around on bikes and feet.

One of the thugs who was seen right in front of the court with number of canes in his hands, adorned a traditional yellow cap of Governor Dapo Abiodun supporters. The cap had the logo of Ogun state on it.

The tribunal commenced sitting on Monday to hear the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, against Governor Abiodun and the APC.

In the presence of policemen and other security agents, the thugs attacked any identified opposition party members with canes, the victims were beaten, even while running for safety.

Some of the thugs were seen on Okada roaming the streets within the court.

A policeman was reportedly said, “there is nothing we can do, we can't arrest them. Everything about Ogun is always different.”

A PDP member, who was one of those attacked by the thugs, said he lost his phone, money and other items in his possession while being beaten.

As at the time of filing this report, members of the PDP have fled the court premises to avoid further attacks.

A PDP governorship aspirant, Segun Sowunmi, who is a known critic of Abiodun’s administration, was, according to a UK-based PDP member, Korede Oladepo, popularly called ‘Korede Coded’, was also attacked by the thugs.

Sowunmi, as at the time of filling this report, is yet to pick calls put across to him or respond to text message sent to his phone.

Details later…