The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) has alleged that a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was killed by suspected hoodlums linked to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan, accusing political actors in Oyo State of escalating violence ahead of the 2027 elections.
SSACO, in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, said the APC member, identified as Ridwan and popularly known as Paul Moor, was allegedly macheted to death in Ward 6, Ibadan South-West Local Government Area, on Friday.
According to the organisation, the victim was attacked for defecting from the APM to the APC, allegedly just 24 hours before his 35th birthday.
SSACO described the killing as the latest in what it called a series of attacks targeting opposition politicians and supporters in Oyo State over the past two weeks.
The organisation also cited the alleged attack on Senator Sharafadeen Alli’s wife, Alhaja Tawakalitu Alli, during a free medical outreach she organised in Ibadan last week.
It further alleged that the campaign train of APC candidate for Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituency, Folake Olunloyo-Oshinowo, and that of APC Oyo South senatorial candidate, Aderemi Oseni, were attacked during separate campaign activities on the same day.
SSACO also referred to the October 14 attack on supporters of Accord governorship candidate, Oriyomi Hamzat, in the Molete area of Ibadan.
Unlike some of the other allegations, that incident has been confirmed by the Oyo State Police Command, which said suspected hoodlums attacked Hamzat’s supporters during a procession.
One person, 40-year-old Azeez Tajudeen, died from injuries sustained during the attack, while the police launched an investigation.
SSACO said the alleged attacks were “anti-democratic, senseless and unacceptable,” stressing that citizens’ rights to freedom of association and expression must be protected.
The organisation called on Governor Seyi Makinde and APM governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, to prevail on their supporters to stop acts capable of triggering further violence.
“Governor Makinde and Hon. Adekanmbi must always remember this fact. The state must not descend to bloodshed by their directive,” the organisation said.
SSACO further urged elders across Oyo State to intervene by cautioning the governor and the APM candidate against what it described as an attempt to impose violence on the electorate ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
It alleged that the attacks were linked to fears surrounding the forthcoming election, while insisting that political competition should be conducted through issues and programmes rather than intimidation.
The organisation also called on the Oyo State Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to investigate the alleged murder and attacks and prosecute anyone found responsible.
“Oyo State people deserve a peaceful campaign. And Senator Alli will sustain his issue-based campaign throughout this period,” SSACO said, urging the APM to adopt the same approach.
