Billboards Vandalism Sparks War of Words Between Oyo APC, APM

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, through the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation, and the state chapter of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) have engaged in a heated exchange of accusations regarding the defacement of Senator Alli’s campaign billboards across Ibadan.

The APC campaign organisation pointed fingers at supporters of APM's governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, alleging their involvement in the destruction of Alli's billboards in various parts of the state capital. However, the APM dismissed these claims, asserting that the APC frequently disseminates false and baseless allegations as a strategy to gain public trust in the state.

These accusations were detailed in separate press releases. Bisi Oladele, the Director of Media and Publicity for SSACO, and Yinka Oladoyinbo, the state Director of Communication and Spokesperson for the APM Governorship Campaign Council, issued the statements from Ibadan.

Oladele reported that "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." He further raised an alarm about the widespread damage, linking it to an earlier attack on Senator Alli's wife and two other APC candidates the previous week.

SSACO interpreted this development as a sign of apprehension within Governor Seyi Makinde's circle and among Adekanmbi's supporters, anticipating a defeat in the upcoming 2027 elections. Oladele condemned the actions, stating, "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."

The APC campaign group issued a stern warning to alleged APM 'hoodlums' to cease such acts and avoid inciting political tension, urging Governor Makinde and Hon. Adekanmbi to restrain their supporters. SSACO also implored the state Commissioner of Police and other security agency heads to identify and prosecute those responsible, emphasizing that democracy guarantees every candidate's right to campaign freely.

"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," Oladele added. He called on security agencies to act promptly to prevent further vandalism, which he described as a "sad reminder of the dark days of brigandage." SSACO also appealed to all APC members to maintain calm and resist provocation.

In his counter-statement, Yinka Oladoyinbo, representing the APM Governorship Campaign Council, strongly denied any involvement of the APM or its candidate, Adekanmbi, in the alleged destruction of APC campaign materials. "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," Oladoyinbo affirmed.

He cautioned the APC against associating Adekanmbi and the APM with acts of violence, highlighting Governor Seyi Makinde's seven-year tenure as one characterized by peaceful coexistence and development. Oladoyinbo described Adekanmbi as a "man of peace" never linked to property destruction, dismissing the APC's allegations as unsubstantiated. He concluded by asserting that no amount of false claims against Adekanmbi and the APM would prevent their victory in the 2027 polls, accusing the APC of a recurring pattern of spreading falsehoods to curry public favor.