The wife of an All Progressives Congress (APC) official has detailed a harrowing account of threats, assault, and poisoning that forced her husband to flee Nigeria for safety.
In a statement, according to our correspondent, Mrs. Janet Adebodun, who resided in Ota, Ogun State, revealed that her husband, Mr. Saburi Olayiwola Adebodun, who served as the Acting Secretary of the APC since October 2020, at the ward level, faced escalating hostility from party members after refusing to compromise on certain political agendas.
Mrs. Adebodun disclosed that the troubles began after Mr. Adebodun turned down a bribe from a senior party member. Following his refusal, he was allegedly assaulted and repeatedly threatened.
The tensions reached a peak on Election Day when stolen ballot papers were reportedly planted in Mr. Adebodun’s car, leading to his arrest and two-day detention. Though cleared by a panel and reinstated, the threats persisted.
On June 2, 2023, during a party event, Mr. Adebodun was allegedly poisoned and rushed to the hospital. Fearing for his life, Mrs. Adebodun persuaded him to leave the country.
“Our ordeal worsened when our first child was kidnapped shortly after filing a police report over the poisoning. The kidnappers demanded that my husband resign from the party within 24 hours, warning us not to involve the police,” Mrs. Adebodun recounted.
Fearing for their safety, the family relocated to Lagos before deciding that Mr. Adebodun should seek asylum abroad. On August 17, 2024, he departed for Canada via Air France and arrived the following day.
The family continues to live in fear, urging authorities to investigate the threats and violence that have disrupted their lives.
