The 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, has been arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The DSS invitation may be connected to an incident that occurred in the Iperu area of Ogun State on Saturday, during which Adebutu was alleged to have mobilised thugs and illegal police operatives to disrupt the local government elections across the local government area.

However, Adebutu has refuted the allegation, stressing that some hoodlums attempted to kill his son, leading to an exchange of fire between them and his security details.

The Ogun State PDP Publicity Secretary, Kayode Adebayo, confirmed the arrest and detention of Adebutu in a statement he released in Abeokuta on Monday.

According to him, Adebutu was reportedly invited for questioning allegedly in connection with disturbance during the last Saturday's local government elections in the State.

"This is to inform the members of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party that the leader of the party has truly been detained by the DSS for charges yet unknown," Adebayo said.

"However, our principal has called for calm and directed that all members of the party, supporters and well-wishers should be rest assured that this time shall pass, it is one of the prices for our democracy.

"Several efforts have been made to secure his bail as at 10pm on Monday, 18th November 2024 either on personal recognition or by a surety, but none has yielded any result so far; his lawyers have been informed and they will take it up by tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.

"By this release, we want our people and the general public to be duly informed about his whereabouts and to maintain calm and peace until this matter is resolved", the statement reads.