… Alleges shadow campaign against Tinubu

…Says rising profile of Interior Minister triggered act

The BTO Renewed Hope Team, the umbrella body of pro-Tinubu groups backing the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has raised the alarm over the incessant destruction of campaign billboards erected in honour of President Bola Tinubu in Ondo State.

While accusing suspected state agents of orchestrating the vandalism in a bid to stifle the minister’s rising political profile, the team stated that the billboards were deliberately pulled down, an act it described as a premeditated and undemocratic act.

According to the group in a statement, the destruction was carried out despite the billboards carrying no anti-party or divisive messaging but rather pure expressions of loyalty to Tinubu and support for the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The group, which stressed that the billboards were lawfully erected and represented a genuine effort to amplify the President’s achievements, queried the motive behind the targeted pro-Tinubu materials in the state.

While pointing to the growing popularity of the Interior Minister as a potential motive, the group appealed to Tinubu to take note of what they termed “internal saboteurs” working against unity and the collective vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The BTO Renewed Hope Team also urged the President, state governors, and the APC National Chairman to launch an immediate investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The group also appealed to the party leadership to address the growing internal rancour before it threatens APC’s cohesion and electoral fortunes.

The statement read in part, “We, the BTO Renewed Hope Team, wish to bring to the attention of all well-meaning Nigerians, our party leadership, and most importantly, the Presidency, the unfortunate, shameful, and deeply troubling destruction of campaign billboards erected in honour of Mr President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, by the support groups of the Honourable Minister of Interior, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hon. (Dr) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

“These billboards, which were a demonstration of loyalty, solidarity, and unwavering support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of our dear President, were deliberately and systematically pulled down by persons suspected to be state agents, an act we consider not only reckless and irresponsible but a direct attack on the democratic values and political freedom that our great party, the APC, stands for.

“If we all claim to be working in the same direction, under the same flag, and for the same president, then who feels threatened by the growing popularity of the Honourable Minister of Interior, Hon. (Dr) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo? Who are those hiding in the shadows, sponsoring these acts of political thuggery and sabotage? Who are those so afraid of the minister’s rising profile that they would resort to such crude, lawless, and undemocratic behaviour?

“We wish to state categorically that these acts will not silence us. They will not weaken our resolve. If anything, they have further strengthened our commitment to supporting both Mr President and the Honourable Minister.

“We hereby call on Mr President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, to take note of the internal saboteurs within the system who are working against unity, peace, and the collective vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“His Excellency, our governor, to investigate and bring to justice those behind these acts of political intimidation and destruction of lawfully erected billboards.

“The APC National Chairman must address this internal rancour before it threatens the cohesion and stability of our great party ahead of future electoral contests.

“We will not be intimidated. We will not be silenced. The BTO Renewed Hope Team remains resolute in its support for the Honourable Minister of Interior, Hon. Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and by extension, the Renewed Hope Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. Enough is enough. Those responsible must be held accountable.”