Leader of the Southwest zone of New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Alhaji Bisi Olopoeyan, yesterday, raised the alarm that almost 30 of the party’s billboards at the cost of N350,000 each, have been destroyed by political thugs allegedly working for the incumbent and candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Seyi Makinde, across Oyo State.
 
Olopoeyan made the allegation while addressing the party’s stakeholders in Oyo Federal Constituency, Oyo State to sensitise supporters ahead of the February 25 and March 11 2023 polls.
 
According to Olopoeyan, “Governor Makinde forgot that destruction of billboards cannot stop his defeat in 2023.”
 
He said the incumbent and his party must have tolerance for opposition members while he added that the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, should do everything possible to ensure that the Chairman, Park Management System (PMS), Mukaila Lamidi aka Auxiliary, did not return the state to a war zone with the way he has been supervising destruction of billboards.
 
He said despite several petitions tagged: ‘President Buhari Save My Soul from Governor Seyi Mankinde and Mukaila Lamidi’, which were published in newspapers, “I am still receiving security threat messages from the government and its thugs.”
 
He also alleged that Auxiliary and his men are stockpiling arms and ammunitions ahead of the campaign with the aim to attack anyone who wears opposition’s branded vest.
 
“Those defacing  bill boards can as well enter peoples house and be killing them. People are now afraid to go out for campaigns without watching their back. We have heard that they are trying to implicate our people. Police are now afraid of Auxiliary,” he said.
 
He appealed to  President Muhammadu Buhari, the Inspector General of Police and the general public to intervene in the threat to his life.
 
Also speaking,  Oyo State governorship candidate for 2023 poll, Joshua Popoola, said the party members should remain steadfast and never entertain any intimidation from PDP.
 
Popoola said preparation is in top gear to ensure all the party members are protected and rewarded before, during and after the elections.
 
“We are here today to assure you that we are on the same page. Do not be intimidated. I can assure you that everyone will be protected and rewarded accordingly.  We are not like those who will promise and renege their promises. We are Omoluabi with track records. We won’t let you down,” Popoola said.