Campaign organisation of the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has alleged that some hoodlums are planning fresh attacks on its supporters and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers.
The organisation also accused suspected supporters of the Allied Peoples Movement of destroying billboards belonging to Alli.
Director of Media and Publicity of the Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation, Bisi Oladele, made these allegations in a statement in Ibadan.
It accused the APM governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi and Governor Seyi Makinde of using suspected hoodlums to intimidate opposition members and supporters.
“Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation is alerting the public about plans that have been perfected by hoodlums used by APM governorship candidate Bimbo Adekanmbi and his master Governor Seyi Makinde to attack members of the Park Management System and others supporting the APC in Oyo,” the statement partly said.
It alleged that the planned attacks were part of efforts to weaken the opposition and create fear among APC supporters across the state.
The campaign organisation linked the alleged plot to previous attacks, claiming that an APC member was killed in Ibadan in October, while several others had sustained injuries in similar incidents over the past two months.
It also accused agents of the state government of destroying Alli’s campaign billboards and pressuring billboard owners who rented space to the APC.
SSACO further claimed that, based on intelligence reports, some suspected hoodlums were planning to attack NURTW members who recently joined the APC, particularly a popular union member known as Oyere and his supporters.
According to the statement, the suspected attackers monitored APC supporters during Alli’s manifesto unveiling at Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall last Tuesday, where they allegedly identified some NURTW members who had joined the party.
The organisation also claimed that a large turnout at Oyere’s weekly NURTW meeting had increased tensions among those allegedly planning the attacks.
It alleged that a meeting held around 10pm on Friday, reportedly at the instruction of a senior member of the governor’s inner circle, discussed plans to attack NURTW members supporting the APC and disrupt their weekly meetings.
SSACO called on the state Commissioner of Police and other security officials to investigate the allegations and prevent any violence.
But in a swift reaction, the APM rejected the accusations, describing them as an attempt by the APC to distract residents from issues of governance.
In a statement by its Director of Communication and spokesperson for the Governorship Campaign Council, Yinka Oladoyinbo, the party said Makinde and Adekanmbi remained committed to maintaining peace in the state.
“The APM in Oyo State wishes to note that the latest allegation by the APC and its campaign council is another attempt at distracting the people of the state from the real issue of governance that they have been challenged to prove that they are ready for,” the statement partly said.
The party also accused the APC and its candidate of making unfounded allegations whenever they were challenged to explain their plans for the state.
It maintained that the current administration had promoted peaceful coexistence among residents from different backgrounds since taking office.
“The APM, Governor Makinde and our governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, have always demonstrated their commitment to peace and tranquillity in our dear state,” the statement added.
APM urged the APC not to be worried about the 2027 elections, insisting that voters would decide the outcome through their votes.
