The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State and the Allied People’s Movement (APM) have traded accusations over the alleged vandalisation of campaign billboards belonging to Senator Sharafadeen Alli and his running mate, Soji Adedeji, in parts of Ibadan.
While Alli’s campaign organisation accused supporters of APM governorship candidate Bimbo Adekanmbi of destroying the billboards, the APM dismissed the allegation as an attempt by the APC to spread falsehood and blackmail its candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The accusations were contained in separate statements issued in Ibadan by the Director of Media and Publicity of the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO), Bisi Oladele, and the APM Governorship Campaign Council’s Director of Communication and spokesperson, Yinka Oladoyinbo.
Oladele alleged that billboards belonging to Alli and his running mate had been vandalised in several locations across the state capital.
He said: “The billboards of Senator Alli and his running mate, Soji Adedeji, have been vandalised by Adekanmbi’s supporters in Mokola, Sango, Monatan-Olodo road, Odo-Ona and Toll Gate-Iwo road section of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, among others.
“The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation is raising the alarm over vandalisation of our candidates’ billboards in many parts of Ibadan by supporters of Hon Bimbo Adekanmbi, the APM governorship candidate in the state.
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“This came after Senator Alli’s wife and two other APC candidates were attacked in Ibadan last week.
“This sad development, once again, confirms the fear within the circle of Governor Seyi Makinde and his stooge – Adekanmbi – of the impending loss they’ll face in the forthcoming election.
“Despite the reality of their potential rejection by the good people of Oyo in the 2027 elections, there is absolutely no justification for Adekanmbi’s supporters to attack our candidates or vandalise APC candidates’ billboards.
“It is barbaric and completely unacceptable. Nigerian democracy has gone beyond this barbaric act, and our people are wiser now.
“We warn APM hoodlums to desist from this reprehensible act, and refrain from stoking tension in the polity.
“Oyo is a peaceful state. Governor Makinde and Hon Adekanmbi should immediately call their goons to order. Oyo does not deserve violence from them.”
The campaign organisation called on the state Commissioner of Police and heads of other security agencies to identify those responsible and ensure they were brought to justice.
Oladele said: “Democracy guarantees freedom of every candidate to campaign in an election. And APC candidates will not surrender this democratic right.
“This latest development brings to the fore, sadly too, our earlier warning of the APM’s destructive venture, in a statement we issued last week.
“Now that they (the APM) have shown that they are a bunch of reckless and lawless individuals, with no regard whatsoever for the law, we call on security agencies to immediately swing into action to prevent a recurrence of these vandalisms, which is a sad reminder of the dark days of brigandage.”
The organisation also urged APC members and supporters to remain calm, avoid taking the law into their own hands and resist any provocation by those it described as Adekanmbi’s hoodlums.
It added: “When elected, Alli’s governance blueprint christened Oyo AHEAD will restore the glory of the state and put our dear state on a faster development lane for the benefit of all.”
In its response, the APM rejected the allegations, insisting that the party and its governorship candidate had nothing to do with the reported destruction of the billboards.
Oladoyinbo said: “The state APM Governorship Campaign Council says unequivocally that it has nothing to do with whatever happens to the campaign materials of the APC, and should not be dragged into such if it ever happens.
“The party hereby strongly warns the APC and its candidate to desist from linking Adekanmbi and the APM with any act of violence involving the APC and its members, as the last seven years of the leadership of the state under Governor Seyi Makinde have been characterised by peaceful coexistence and development.
“The APC should stop raising unsubstantiated allegations against Adekanmbi, a well-known man of peace, who has never been associated with any activity that can lead to the destruction of other people’s properties.
“We want the APC and its handlers to know that no amount of falsehood and unfounded allegations against Adekanmbi and the APM can stop their being defeated at the polls in 2027.
“The people of the state are well aware of the tactics of the APC and its candidate and are familiar with their act of spreading lies and falsehood in order to endear themselves to the people, a development that has been recurring since electioneering gained momentum.
“It is obvious that the APC governorship candidate and his party have no tangible issue and programme with which they can convince the people to vote for them at the polls, hence their resort to deception and blackmail.
“However, the people that have experienced good governance with excellent service delivery under Governor Makinde in the last seven years will not return to the dark era as they are wiser and convinced that continuity is the best option that can further sustain and extend the development of the state.”
The APM spokesperson also urged security agencies to investigate the allegation thoroughly to establish its authenticity and identify those responsible.
Oladoyinbo said: “We also want to appeal to our members to continue to be peaceful and go about their electioneering activities without fear, believing that the security agencies are capable of ensuring the security of their lives and property.”
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