The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for a thorough investigation into the alleged attack on supporters of the Accord governorship candidate, Oriyomi Hamzat, during a campaign rally in Ibadan on Wednesday.
The party said the incident, which occurred around the Molete area of the state capital, left several supporters injured and heightened tension in parts of Ibadan.
According to reports, the campaign team was conducting a street campaign in the area when suspected members of the Park Management System (PMS) allegedly emerged and attacked occupants of vehicles conveying Accord supporters.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers were armed with dangerous weapons, which they allegedly used to inflict varying degrees of injuries on members of the campaign team.
Reacting to the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday, Oyo APC Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, urged the police and other relevant security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible.
Sadare said the party was concerned about a growing pattern of political violence ahead of the 2027 elections in the state.
He alleged that APC members had been attacked in three separate locations in Ibadan the previous week, with party members attributing the incidents to individuals allegedly associated with the Governor Seyi Makinde administration and the PMS.
“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,” Sadare said.
He further alleged that the same group had recently been linked to the vandalism and destruction of campaign billboards, signs and posters belonging to opposition parties.
On the attack involving the Accord campaign team, Sadare said some residents were able to identify the alleged perpetrators.
He, however, said the APC would not prejudge the outcome of the investigation, stressing the need for security agencies to conduct an independent and objective inquiry.
“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,” he said.
The APC also urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, while calling for individuals allegedly involved in political violence to be exposed.
The party accused the state government of creating an environment in which commercial motorists were being pressured to display campaign materials associated with the APM.
“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 statement added.
APC further accused the administration of Governor Makinde of directing PMS officials to ensure that commercial motorists displayed only campaign materials associated with APM candidates, including on tricycles and motorcycles.
The party said such alleged conduct was capable of deepening political tension in the state ahead of the 2027 elections.
It also recalled the administration of former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, saying that his government helped move Oyo State away from an era of political violence.
“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 said.
