‘We won’t be intimidated’ — Ondo guber aspirant alleges destruction of campaign materials

Wale Akinterinwa, former commissioner for finance and governorship aspirant in Ondo, has alleged the destruction of his campaign materials. 

In a statement by his campaign organisation, Akinterinwa alleged that his supporters were attacked in the wake of President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the state on Wednesday.

He alleged that his supporters and other members of  the All Progressives Congress (APC) who turned out to receive the president during his trip to the family of the late Rotimi Akeredolu were attacked by armed thugs.

“What ordinarilly was planned to be a rousing welcome and celebration of the visit of Mr President was turned to a theater of violence and bloody attack on APC members and supporters of other gubernatorial aspirants by thugs sponsored and fully armed by Hon Lucky Ayedatiwa, the governor of Ondo state,” the statement reads.

“The well-orchestrated and executed attacks were carried out by some well-known thugs as well as members of the NURTW loyal to the governor of Ondo state, led by one Mr Eniba.

“The thugs, who brazenly fired gun shots into the air to cause confusion, went on a destruction spree as they attacked property, while billboards of other gubernatorial aspirants were defaced, pull down or out rightly destroyed.

“Party members perceived to be loyal to all gubernatorial aspirants sustained varied and diverse degree injuries resulting from the attacks unleashed on them, while those supporting Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa were spared.

“At this juncture as members of the Wale Akinterinwa Campaign Organisation, we would also love to state that as responsible leaders and members of our party with genuine intentions to serve our dear people, we are unable and will not accept the imposition on the party members a regime of panic and fear in other to supplant popular participation in a democratic process aimed at emplacing accountable and responsive leadership.

“We, therefore, call on Mr President and the national chairman of the APC to prevail on Mr Governor to halt the use of thugs to advance his political interest. The field is wide enough for everyone to operate”

The campaign organisation also urge security agencies to be on alert against future occurrences and to apprehend those behind the attacks.

Reacting to the issue, Aiyedatiwa said his administration will not tolerate any form of violence that is capable of threatening the peace of the state.

In a statement on Friday, Ebenezer Adeniyan, his chief press secretary, said no one associated with the governor was involved in the alleged attack.

“As the Governor has said repeatedly, any political campaign that disturbs the peace in the State is unacceptable and must be met with the decisive actions of law enforcement agencies,” the statement reads.

“It is pertinent to make it clear that nobody associated with the Governor or the government of Ondo State was involved in any of the reported activities ascribed to ‘political thugs’ during the President’s visit to Owo and Akure.

“The Governor has therefore asked law enforcement agencies in the State to arrest and prosecute anyone found to be engaged in such violent activities.

“The Governor urges politicians and their followers to ensure that their campaings are issue based, devoid of blackmail, spreading falsehood, inciting the public and intimidating opponents.”