Get Guardian on GoogleThe All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State have traded accusations over alleged political violence, intimidation of supporters and destruction of campaign billboards ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation had raised the alarm over an alleged plot to attack APC members and supporters of the party’s governorship candidate, accusing Governor Seyi Makinde and the APM governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, of sponsoring political intimidation.
The organisation also alleged that campaign billboards belonging to Alli were being vandalised in parts of the state, calling on security agencies to intervene and protect lives and property.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, the campaign organisation said it had received intelligence about planned attacks targeting members of the Park Management System (PMS), particularly those supporting the APC.
It alleged that the planned attacks were intended to intimidate opposition supporters and weaken the party’s support base ahead of the 2027 elections.
The organisation identified a popular PMS member, nicknamed Oyere, and his followers as potential targets, claiming that some members of the group had been monitored during the unveiling of Alli’s manifesto at Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall last Tuesday.
According to the statement, names of members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), particularly those who recently defected to the APC, had allegedly been compiled by individuals suspected of planning the attacks.
It also claimed that the development followed a large turnout at a weekly NURTW meeting chaired by Oyere, which reportedly attracted hundreds of members.
The campaign organisation alleged that a meeting held around 10pm on Friday, at the direction of a senior member of the governor’s inner circle, discussed plans to attack NURTW members supporting the APC and disrupt their weekly meetings.
It also accused the state government of targeting billboard proprietors who had rented advertising spaces to Alli, alleging that the actions were affecting their businesses and restricting the APC candidate’s campaign activities.
The organisation further claimed that previous attacks in the state had resulted in the death of an APC member in Ibadan in October, while several others had sustained injuries in incidents over the past two months.
It called on the Commissioner of Police and other security chiefs to investigate the allegations and take preventive measures against any planned violence.
However, the APM dismissed the allegations, describing them as another attempt by the APC and its campaign organisation to distract residents from issues of governance.
In a statement dated November 8, 2026, and signed by its Director of Communication and Spokesperson, Yinka Oladoyinbo, the party said the allegations demonstrated that the APC and its candidate lacked the capacity to lead Oyo State.
It accused the opposition party of resorting to what it described as spurious allegations whenever it was challenged to explain its plans for the state.
The APM maintained that Makinde and Adekanmbi had consistently demonstrated commitment to peace and tranquillity in the state.
It said the peaceful coexistence among residents from different backgrounds since the inception of the Makinde administration more than seven years ago was evidence of its commitment to maintaining peace.
The party also accused the APC of being responsible for political aggression in the state, citing the alleged destruction of its billboards in Ibadan North Local Government Area by APC supporters in broad daylight.
The APM, however, said it had nothing to fear, insisting that residents of Oyo State remained firmly behind Makinde and Adekanmbi.
It expressed confidence that the electorate would demonstrate their preference through their votes in the 2027 general elections.
