The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) has raised the alarm over an alleged plot to attack members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, accusing supporters of the African Democratic Congress (APM) governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, and Governor Seyi Makinde of orchestrating fresh political violence.
The campaign organisation also alleged that campaign billboards belonging to Alli, the APC governorship candidate, were being vandalised and destroyed in parts of the state, describing the incidents as attempts to intimidate opposition supporters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, SSACO said the alleged plot particularly targeted members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Park Management System (PMS) who had declared support for the APC.
It claimed that the development followed a series of attacks on opposition supporters in the state, including an incident in Ibadan in October in which an APC member reportedly died, while several others sustained injuries in separate attacks over the past two months.
According to the organisation, intelligence available to it indicated that some PMS members were allegedly planning attacks on NURTW members supporting Alli, particularly a prominent transport union member identified by the nickname Oyere and his associates.
SSACO alleged that the suspected attackers monitored APC supporters during Alli’s manifesto unveiling at Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall last Tuesday, where names of transport workers, particularly those who recently joined the party, were reportedly compiled.
It further claimed that the alleged plot was discussed at a meeting convened around 10pm on Friday by a prominent member of Makinde’s inner political circle, where participants allegedly agreed to target APC-supporting transport workers and disrupt their weekly meetings.
The organisation said the alleged plan was intended to weaken the APC’s support base ahead of the forthcoming elections, particularly among transport workers.
It also accused the state government of putting pressure on billboard operators who provided advertising spaces for Alli’s campaign, alleging that some proprietors were being forced out of business for offering their facilities to the opposition candidate.
Describing the alleged destruction of campaign materials as a threat to democratic participation, SSACO said political disagreements should not be allowed to undermine the rights of opposition parties to campaign freely and conduct their political activities.
The organisation attributed the alleged hostility to fears of electoral rejection, insisting that intimidation would not deter residents from supporting Alli and other APC candidates in 2027.
It also criticised the Makinde administration over what it described as seven years of poor governance, citing local government administration, education, healthcare and public service delivery as areas requiring improvement.
SSACO called on the Oyo State Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to investigate the alleged intelligence reports and take preventive measures to avert further attacks on political supporters.
It also urged residents to hold political actors accountable for the conduct of their supporters, warning that the alleged developments posed a threat to lives, property and the peaceful political atmosphere in the state.
The organisation maintained that all political parties and their supporters should be allowed to participate in the electoral process without intimidation, violence or destruction of campaign materials.
Packaged by Temitayo Afolabi
