Get Guardian on Google…Senator says no group has monopoly on violence as he inaugurates 357 party coordinators in Ogun
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, has warned political opponents against attacking the party’s candidates, supporters and campaign materials, saying such acts of intimidation and violence would no longer be tolerated.
Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, said nobody had a monopoly of violence and urged political parties and their supporters to respect the law and embrace peaceful political engagement ahead of the 2027 general election.
He spoke at the inauguration of 357 ward and local government coordinators of the APC in Ogun State, held in Yewa South Local Government Area.
The senator condemned reported attacks on APC candidates and the destruction of campaign posters and billboards, warning that those responsible for such acts would not be above the law.
“Nobody has a monopoly of violence. Stoning candidates and their supporters, destroying APC candidates’ posters and their billboards will not be tolerated anymore. Nobody is above the law”.
He also called for an end to attacks on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima and other APC candidates, insisting that political disagreements should not degenerate into violence.
Adeola said the number of ward coordinators had been increased from 236 to 357 following an assessment of the organisational needs and peculiar circumstances of wards across the state.
He urged the newly appointed coordinators to strengthen the party’s grassroots structures and remain committed to their responsibilities, warning that anyone whose activities undermined party unity or caused disaffection would be removed.
The senator also cautioned the beneficiaries against treating the vehicles and motorcycles distributed to them as personal property, saying the equipment was provided exclusively for party mobilisation and official assignments.
He disclosed that arrangements were being made to provide Closed User Group (CUG) telephone lines for the coordinators to facilitate communication and improve coordination across the state.
Adeola said the inauguration marked the completion of his tour of Ogun State’s 20 local government areas. He added that concerns and memoranda submitted by communities during the tour would inform his economic blueprint and manifesto, tagged ITESIWAJU.
He expressed confidence that the expanded grassroots network would strengthen the APC’s electoral machinery and help the party achieve its target of securing two million votes for President Tinubu in the forthcoming presidential election.
Those present at the inauguration included Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele; former deputy governors Salmot Badru and Segun Adesegun; Minister of State for Health, Kunle Salako; Senator Lekan Mustapha; Director-General of the Ogun State APC Presidential and Governorship Campaign Council, and Gboyega Nosiru Isiaka, among other party leaders.
