APC, Adeleke camps trade blame over billboard vandalism

The Imole Campaign Council, the re-election vehicle for Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has voiced strong accusations against the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging a coordinated campaign of politically motivated violence and vandalism. According to the council's spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, billboards supporting the Accord Party and the governor's campaign were destroyed in multiple local government areas. This act, the council claims, was carried out by hoodlums aided by compromised security personnel, a move they deem a direct threat to democratic engagement.

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billboards belonging to the Imole Campaign and the ACCORD Party were reportedly vandalized and destroyed across several parts of Osun State, including Irewole, Ayedaade, Irepodun, and Osogbo Local Governments.

This incident, if true, represents a disturbing escalation in the political climate of Osun State, moving beyond traditional campaigning into outright intimidation. The Imole Campaign Council has not only called for a thorough investigation by the Inspector General of Police but has also appealed to the international community, election monitors, and human rights organizations to take note of these unfolding events. Such appeals highlight a concern that local enforcement might not be impartial, necessitating external scrutiny.

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This operation was coordinated by a notorious thug, allegedly aided by some compromised security operatives who supervised or looked away while these criminal acts were carried out.

The APC, however, has vehemently denied these accusations, labeling them as baseless and a desperate attempt to mislead the public. They suggest the allegations are a diversionary tactic, implying that the ruling party is overwhelmed by Governor Adeleke's popularity. This counter-narrative frames the accusations as a political ploy rather than a genuine reflection of events on the ground.

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This is not ordinary politics. This is a direct threat to democratic engagement, political freedom, and peaceful participation in the electoral process.

From our perspective in Osun, these accusations and counter-accusations are unfortunately familiar during election cycles. The reliance on alleged violence and vandalism, rather than focusing on policy and governance, is a tactic that has plagued Nigerian politics. The call for international attention, while understandable given the stakes, also underscores a local challenge: ensuring that electoral processes are free from intimidation and violence, allowing voters to make informed choices without fear. The focus for us remains on the governor's commitment to governance and service delivery amidst these political skirmishes.

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We therefore call on the Inspector General of Police to immediately order a full investigation into these coordinated attacks and ensure that all persons involved, including their sponsors and collaborators, are identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.