The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) has accused the leadership of the Park Management System (PMS) in Oyo State of forcing commercial motorists to purchase and display campaign stickers promoting Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, and other political figures.
SSACO, in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, on Wednesday, described the alleged practice as an affront to democratic freedom and an attempt to impose political advertising on citizens against their will.
Adekanmbi was adopted by the APM as its consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 Oyo State election in May.
According to SSACO, commercial minibus operators, popularly known as Micra drivers, tricycle riders, taxi operators and interstate bus drivers were being compelled to buy campaign stickers and posters at a reported cost of ₦15,000.
The organisation further alleged that motorists who declined to purchase or display the materials were threatened with an additional ₦5,000 penalty.
It identified New Garage, Iwo Road, Ojoo, Gbagi, Challenge and Mokola, among other locations in Ibadan, as areas where the alleged practice was particularly prevalent.
SSACO said compelling transport workers to finance or advertise political campaigns they did not voluntarily support was unacceptable in a democratic society.
“Commercial drivers should not be forced to advertise political candidates or finance campaigns they do not voluntarily support,” the organisation said.
It challenged PMS leadership to explain why transport workers should be subjected to compulsory payments and political pressure, insisting that no individual or organisation had the authority to dictate the political choices of motorists.
The organisation also raised concern over alleged efforts to compile the polling-unit details of individual drivers ahead of political campaigns and the 2027 general elections.
It demanded an explanation for the alleged data collection, warning that any attempt to deploy such information to monitor, intimidate or manipulate voters would be unacceptable.
SSACO stressed that commercial drivers, tricycle operators and other transport workers enjoy the same constitutional rights as other citizens, including freedom of political choice, association and participation in elections.
It therefore called on PMS leadership to dissociate itself from any practice capable of damaging the reputation of the transport sector and ensure that motorists are not penalised for refusing to purchase or display campaign materials.
The organisation also challenged Governor Seyi Makinde and relevant authorities to investigate the allegations transparently and prevent the commercial transport sector from being used as an instrument of political coercion ahead of the 2027 elections.
SSACO said it remained committed to peaceful political engagement, maintaining that motorists must be allowed to support candidates of their choice without fear of harassment, sanctions or financial exploitation.
