The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state has called on the relevant security agencies to launch a thorough investigation on the Wednesday violent attacks against the campaign team of the governorship candidate of the Accord, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, which reportedly left many of his supporters critically injured as palpable tension still rents the air in most parts of Ibadan- the state capital as a result of the incident.
Reports had it the happened in Molete Area of Ibadan around noon on Wednesday when some suspected members of the Park Management System (PMS) emerged from nowhere and began to attack the occupants of the vehicles which carried the supporters of the Accord and its candidates who were on a street campaign. Eye witnesses submitted that the attackers came dangerous weapons with which they inflicted varying degrees of injuries on their victims.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC berated Governor Seyi Makinde over an order allegedly given to PMS officials to ensure that commercial motorists adorn only the campaign materials of the APM candidates and also decorate their vehicles (including tricycles and motorcycles) with the same things.
“Just last week, members of the APC were attacked in three different places in Ibadan and all accusing fingers were pointed at the APM gladiators who are known promoters of political thug arm of the Park Management System (PMS) since 2019. The same set of state-backed violent elements have been fingered in the vandalism and destruction of campaign billboards, signage materials and posters of the opposition candidates in the state in recent times.
“The attack on Accord campaign train happened in broad daylight and some of the residents could identify the culprits but we do not want to preempt the positive outcome of an objective and thorough investigation expected from the police and other security agencies. Therefore, we urge members of the public to remain calm and vigilant at the same time. Those who work as thugs for the undemocratic elements in the political space are part of the society and they must be exposed at all costs.
“The same power mongers who are compelling beleaguered commercial motorists to take up APM campaign assignment are responsible for sponsorship of violent attacks against members of the opposition parties in the state. The government of late Senator Abiola Ajimobi took us away from the era of political violence and attempts by the current administration will be resisted by the good people of the state.” APC added.
