Oyo 2027: Alli’s Campaign Raises Alarm Over Alleged Plot to Attack APC Supporters

The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by suspected political thugs to attack members of the Park Management System (PMS) and other supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.

The campaign organisation also accused suspected agents of the state government of vandalising campaign billboards belonging to Alli, the APC governorship candidate in the state, as political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election intensify.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, SSACO alleged that the planned attacks were aimed at intimidating opposition supporters and weakening the APC’s political structure across the state.

The organisation claimed that the alleged plot followed previous incidents of political violence, including an attack in Ibadan in October which reportedly resulted in the death of an APC member, as well as injuries sustained by other party supporters in separate incidents over the past two months.

According to the statement, intelligence available to the campaign organisation indicated that some PMS members were allegedly planning attacks on National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) members perceived to be supporting the APC.

It identified a popular transport union member, popularly known as Oyere, and his associates as particular targets of the alleged plan.

SSACO further claimed that the alleged attackers monitored APC supporters during Senator Alli’s manifesto unveiling at Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall last Tuesday, where names of some NURTW members, particularly those who recently joined the APC, were allegedly compiled.

The organisation said the development reportedly heightened following a large turnout of NURTW members at a weekly meeting chaired by Oyere at his office.

It also alleged that a meeting held around 10pm on Friday, involving individuals it linked to Governor Seyi Makinde’s political circle, discussed plans to launch coordinated attacks on transport union members supporting the APC.

The campaign organisation claimed that the alleged plan included disrupting the group’s regular meetings to weaken the opposition party’s support base ahead of the general elections.

However, the allegations were not accompanied by publicly disclosed evidence in the statement.

On the destruction of campaign materials, SSACO accused suspected agents of the state government of vandalising Alli’s billboards in different locations and allegedly pressuring billboard operators who rented advertising spaces to the APC candidate.

It said the development was affecting the businesses of billboard proprietors and restricting the campaign organisation’s ability to communicate its political message to residents.

Describing the alleged incidents as a threat to democratic participation, the organisation said political differences should not be allowed to undermine the safety of citizens or the freedom of political parties to campaign.

“No amount of intimidation will prevent the good people of Oyo State from exercising their democratic rights and supporting Senator Alli and other APC candidates in the 2027 elections,” the statement said.

The campaign organisation also criticised the Makinde administration over what it described as shortcomings in local government administration, education, healthcare and public service delivery.

SSACO called on the Oyo State Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to investigate the alleged plot and take preventive measures to avert further political violence.

It also urged residents to remain vigilant and hold those responsible for any attacks accountable, while calling for the protection of lives and property across the state.

As of the time the statement was issued, the campaign organisation had not provided publicly verifiable evidence linking Governor Makinde or APM governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, to the alleged plot.