The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) has accused supporters of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) of attacking members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ibadan, calling on the party’s governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, to caution his supporters.
The organisation’s reaction followed an alleged attack on two APC members, Abiola Abulesowo and Abanise Olanrewaju, at the Ibadan North Local Government Secretariat on Wednesday.
The victims reportedly visited the secretariat to accompany a newly registered voter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office when some individuals allegedly identified them as APC members and challenged their presence at the facility.
Recounting the incident, Abulesowo said the confrontation began when the individuals questioned why APC members would visit a secretariat under the control of the APM-led administration.
He said they responded that the local government secretariat was a public facility open to all Nigerians, regardless of political affiliation.
According to him, the disagreement escalated into physical violence, forcing them to flee as their attackers pursued them.
Abulesowo further alleged that they encountered another group of suspected thugs at a bus stop, where the assault continued.
“They challenged us, asking why we, as APC members, entered the secretariat which is under the leadership of APM. And we answered that the secretariat belongs to all Nigerians, not just APM members.
“They insisted that we were too daring to have been bold enough to enter the secretariat, knowing fully that APM is the ruling party in Oyo State. While trying to explain to them that the issue was not a political one, slaps and punches started raining on our heads,” he said.
He added that the attackers tore their clothes and embarrassed them, claiming that the incident occurred simply because of their membership of the APC.
The duo said the incident happened at about 1pm on Wednesday.
In a statement issued by its Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, SSACO condemned the alleged assault and called on Adekanmbi and Governor Seyi Makinde to caution their supporters against acts of violence.
The organisation warned against using government influence to intimidate opposition members or prevent residents from freely moving around the state.
It described the incident as part of what it called a growing pattern of attacks on opposition members under the Makinde administration.
“This condemnable act is another incident in an ugly trend of muscling the opposition in Oyo State under Governor Seyi Makinde’s leadership,” the statement said.
“Yet there is absolutely no reason to visit violence on opposition members in our state.
“Governor Makinde and Adekanmbi should stop this provocation and follow the path of peaceful campaign. We urge them to embrace peace and focus on issues, not attacks.”
SSACO also called on the Oyo State Commissioner of Police to investigate the incident, identify those responsible and ensure they are brought to justice.
It maintained that the state belonged to all residents, irrespective of their political affiliations, adding that no individual or group should use political influence to deny others their right to live peacefully.
Kehinde Ayanboade
Kehinde Ayanboade is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Naija Metro News, with over eight years of experience covering Nigerian politics, crime, legislative proceedings and metropolitan affairs.
