The opposition campaign council rejects allegations against its party and warns against attempts to associate its candidate with political violence.
The Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Bimbo Adekanmbi, has denied allegations linking his party to the reported destruction of campaign billboards belonging to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in parts of Ibadan.
The denial was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday, October 14, by the APM Governorship Campaign Council as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The statement, signed by the council’s Director of Communication and Spokesperson, Yinka Oladoyinbo, accused the APC and its governorship candidate, Barrister Sharafadeen Alli, of making what it described as false and unfounded allegations.
The council maintained that the APM had no involvement in the reported destruction of the APC’s campaign materials.
“The APM Governorship Campaign Council in the state 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 happened,” the statement said.
The council also warned the APC and its candidate against linking Adekanmbi or the APM to acts of violence involving the party or its members.
It argued that political competition should not be used to spread allegations capable of damaging reputations or heightening tensions ahead of the election.
Campaign tensions ahead of 2027
The exchange highlights the importance of peaceful political competition as parties begin positioning themselves for the next governorship contest in Oyo State.
The APM council also praised the period of peaceful coexistence and development it associated with Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, which it said should not be undermined by inflammatory political exchanges.
The competing claims over the alleged billboard destruction have not, on the information available, established who was responsible for the incident.
Any determination of responsibility would require reliable evidence and, where appropriate, investigation by the relevant authorities.
As the campaign season approaches, political parties and their supporters face growing pressure to conduct their activities peacefully, respect opponents’ rights and allow voters to make informed decisions without intimidation or violence.