Following the gruesome murder of an All Progressives Congress (APC) member in Ibadan by Allied People’s Movement (APM) hoodlums, the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) has called on elders across the state to warn Governor Seyi Makinde and the APM governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, against foisting violence on the people of Oyo State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement by the organisation’s Director of Media and Publicity Bisi Oladele, the SSACO expressed surprise that Makinde and Adekanmbi have adopted bloodshed as their new campaign method, but insisted that their ambition is not worth the life of any individual living anywhere in Oyo State.
The organisation chronicled attacks and killings of opposition members in the state in the last two weeks, and warned that senseless killings and brigandage must not take over Oyo State in Governor Makinde’s desperation to force his lackey, Hon. Adekanmbi, on the good people of the state in 2027.
The statement read: “The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) was gripped with horror as an APC member in Ward 6, Ibadan South West Local Government, Ridwan, popularly known with the nickname Paul Moor, was machetted to death by APM hoodlums on Friday. The young man was gruesomely murdered for defecting from APM to APC, only 24 hours to his 35th birthday.
“This is the latest in the series of attacks on opposition figures in the last two weeks. Senator Alli’s wife, Alhaja Tawakalit Alli, was attacked during a peaceful free health programme she organised last week. The APC candidate for Ibadan North-West/South-West Federal Constituency Hon. Folake Olunloyo-Oshinowo, was also attacked during a peaceful campaign on the same day. The campaign train of Hon. Remi Oseni, the APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, was also attacked on the same day.
Similarly, the campaign team of Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, Accord Party’s governorship candidate, was attacked at Molete, Ibadan, during a peaceful campaign.
“These ugly attacks and killing of opposition members in Oyo State are anti-democratic, senseless and unacceptable. The rights of Nigerians to freedom of association and speech are guaranteed in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and remain sacred. Governor Makinde and Hon. Adekanmbi must always remember this fact. The state must not descend to bloodshed by their directive.
“The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation wishes to remind Governor Makinde and Hon. Adekanmbi that Oyo State belongs to all citizens and residents, not just APM members. It is important for the two leaders to tame their fear of losing in the forthcoming election which is responsible for these senseless attacks. We urge them to have a rethink and prevail on their members to desist from the heinous crimes they are committing.
“For emphasis, the people of Oyo State are tired of the Makinde administration, and they have already embraced Senator Sharafadeen Alli, who will run a people-centred governance instead of continuation of a government of deceit. We call on elders across Oyo State to call Governor Makinde and Hon. Adekanmbi to oder.
“We call on the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State and other security agencies to fish out these murderers and bring them to justice. Oyo State people deserve a peaceful campaign. And Senator Alli will sustain his issue-based campaign throughout this period. We urge the APM to take a cue from us.”
