The Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Sikiru Kayode Okuribido, has denied allegations that he was responsible for disrupting the Peoples Democratic Party’s campaign activities in the community on September 16.

The monarch, through the Dagburewe-in-Council, also dismissed claims that he was connected to reported cases of violence and property damage linked to the campaign. Vanguard reported that the dispute arose after the PDP said it had paid N170,000 into a community account for the use of a venue but was subsequently unable to hold its event there.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, the Sobaloju of Idowa, Chief Yusuf Olatunji Olusanya, said the palace did not receive any formal notice about the proposed campaign visit, while insisting that the traditional ruler neither directed anyone to prevent the party from entering the community nor interfered with its activities.

Olusanya said the conflicting accounts surrounding the incident should be resolved by examining available evidence, including financial records, security reports, eyewitness testimony, photographs and video footage. He also called for investigations into claims of shootings, damage to vehicles and other alleged incidents connected with the campaign.

The council questioned the reported N170,000 payment, saying the amount understood to have been agreed for the venue was N30,000. Olusanya said a N140,000 refund was subsequently approved through a cheque reportedly issued in the name of Oyinlola Odufuwa, while the circumstances surrounding both payments should be established.

The council further asked authorities to examine allegations involving the reported shooting of Sakiru Bello’s son, Bello’s alleged arrest over PDP posters and a claimed N50,000 payment connected to his release. Olusanya urged political actors to keep the traditional institution outside partisan disputes, stressing that anyone found responsible for wrongdoing should be dealt with according to the law.