The Media Committee of the Governor ‘Seyi Makinde Campaign Organisation has condemned the killing of four members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibadan South-East Local Government by thugs suspected to be loyalists of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin.
The governor’s media team, which called on security agencies to immediately arrest Folarin and all his boys who masterminded the killing of innocent PDP members, said that the incident has finally vindicated the general belief that the APC candidate is a violent man and a kingpin of thugs and brigands.
A statement signed by the Special Assistant (Print Media) to the governor, Moses Alao, on behalf of the Media Committee, lashed out at Folarin and the APC for their penchant to orchestrate violence and disturb the peace of Oyo State in the name of politics.
The statement called on the Police to thoroughly investigate the incident with a view to bringing the culprits to book, stating that the blood of the innocent people slain in Ibadan South-East will forever cry for vengeance.
The governor’s campaign media team equally warned residents of the state to “shine their eyes” on Saturday and not to allow Folarin, a disciple of Ex-Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, who allegedly wrecked his state when he served as governor in Osun.
According to the statement, it was laughable and funny how Folarin’s ill-fated ambition has become a caricature with the invitation of Aregbesola, to campaign for him in Oyo State.
The group called on Oyo State voters not to elect an individual who is taking notes and direction from an ex-governor whose legacy in his state include meaningless and monumental debts, with workers and pensioners in anguish, sorrow and endless gnashing of teeth.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress APC in Oyo State blamed the member representing Ibadan North East/Ibadan South East in the House of Representatives, Abass Adigun as being responsible for the reported political violence which claimed some lives at Ile-Tuntun, Ibadan on Thursday calling on the State Police Command to investigate the ugly incident thoroughly and ensure that those found culpable are made to face the full wrath of the law.
Oyo APC while reacting to the incident through a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, said it was regrettable to note that “some political players still believe in using violence and brigandage against their opponents, not minding the consequences of their actions.
“What happened today in Ibadan leaves much to be desired as it was a clear manifestation of the alarm we have been raising for quite some months. Available facts indicate that it was a vase of unprovoked attack against members of our Party (APC) and the attackers were the PDP thugs who operated in broad daylight with unbridled gusto.
“As much as we would not want to prevent the security agents from doing the needful by investigating the incident thoroughly with a view to ascertaining the identities of all the attackers and other accomplices, it is imperative we establish the fundamental point that it was a premeditated onslaught against our members who were holding a strategic meeting ahead of the election coming up on Saturday.
“The exact location of the ugly incident was the Ibadan South East Local Government Secretariat at Iyana Court, Ile-Tuntun Area of Ibadan. Some stalwarts of the APC had gathered to plan ahead of the Saturday poll in relation to deployment and monitoring of poll agents. While the indoor meeting was going on, it was reported that a team of PDP members led by Hon. Adigun (a.k.a Agboworin) emerged from nowhere and they created tension and panic among residents who scampered for safety.
“Eyewitness account had it that gunshots rent the air as Agboworin reportedly ordered political thugs who came with him to start shooting sporadically at the direction of the APC members who were holding their meeting inside the complex housing our secretariat. At the end of the day, many people were shot at and all campaign vehicles belonging to the APC found around were badly destroyed.
“Information about the casualties recorded is still sketchy but about seven of our members who sustained varying degrees of injury have since been hospitalized. It is on this note that we urge the Commissioner of Police to order a thorough investigation of the incident and also ensure that such incident is prevented in future.” Oyo APC stated.