Ondo APC Rep Member Behind Attack On My Campaign Train, Adefisoye, SDP Candidate Alleges

By Niyi Olutunde, Akure

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate for the House of Representative in Idanre/Ifedore Federal constituency, Ondo state, Alhaji Tajudeen Adefisoye has accused Bamidele Baderinwa, incumbent rep member and his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) of being behind the attack on his campaign train in Ipogun town.

It would be recalled that Adefisoye escaped death on Friday when suspected political thugs attacked campaign vehicles in his convoy.

But while addressing a press conference in Akure, Ondo state capital on Sunday, the SDP house of rep candidate claimed that hoodlums believed to be working for the APC attacked his convoy to frustrate his chances of winning the February 16th constituency election being the most popular candidate in the area.

“I am the most popular candidate in Ifedore/Idanre federal constituency. As you are aware, few weeks ago, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo came to Idanre, during his visit, the incumbent rep member, Baderinwa was beaten by the youths who accused him of poor representation at the lower chamber.

“So what happened now was a reprisal attack by his supporters because those who attacked my convoy were putting on APC caps. So my number one suspect is no other person but the incumbent rep member for the attack.”

The SDP candidate also gave more insight on how the attack happened and denied being arrested or detained by the police.

He said, “Before the ugly incident, we were at Ikota, Ero, Ilara, Igbara-Oke, all in same Ifedore local government area, but on getting to Ipogun, we started hearing gunshots and I saw my party members running for safety.

“I turned my car and went straight to Ilara-Mokin Police station to make a formal report of the ugly incident. From there, the DPO and I moved straight to the police area command before coming down to the state headquarters here in Akure.

“I was never arrested nor detained by the police as being spread by our opponents. SDP remains the most popular party in the federal constituency today.

“I’m suspecting the APC incumbent House of Representatives member for the attacked. Because those that attacked us put on APC cap. The attack was sponsored by the APC Rep member. I am a law abiding man, I have been running this campaign alone for the past six months without any violence.

“But no matter what I will win the election because I am the most popular candidate in Idanre/Ifedore constituency”.

He also denied reports that Kayode Falusi was shot dead by a policeman in his convoy.

“As a philanthropist who had given scholarship to over 100 students in Ifedore alone, how would I be angry when I see young guys asking money or favor from me? The attacked was sponsored by those who think I am a threat to their aspirations.

“There is also this rumor that it was one of the policeman in my convoy that killed the late Kayode which is totally untrue. They have done the autopsy and it was a local bullet that was found in his body.

“I hereby use this medium to publicly commiserate with the family of the deceased, the people of Ipogun and Ifedore local government at large. Police have investigated the matter and they are still investigating it”, he ended.

Similarly, the state Chairman of the party, Chief Korede Duyile, commiserated with the family of the decease, describing the incident as unfortunate incident.

He said, “We are peaceful persons in SDP, we don’t condole violence in our part at all. The incident was not organized by our party but it was intral party problem. What people are spreading around was not true at all, it was just mere rumour”.

In a swift reaction, Baderinwa, who is also a House of Representatives candidate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) however described the allegation as unfounded.

Baderinwa accused some APC leaders in the state of instigating Adefisoye to blackmail him, stressing that it was the same people behind his attack in Idanre while on the convoy of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to the palace of Owa of Idanre.

He said” I don’t have any connection with the SDP, my campaign is door-to-door, I was not in Ipogun that day, some people were accusing me of being imposed as APC candidate by the party’s national leadership, but the primary was conducted and I won the seat, why are they persecuting me?”

Baderinwa said the Department of State Service(SSS) and  the Police had invited him on this matter and absolved him after conducting their investigations, saying the God of destiny will shame his detractors and give him victory at the polls.