…rejects thuggery allegation against Makinde, Adekanmbi
The Oyo State Government has dismissed allegations by the Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation that Governor Seyi Makinde and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, are sponsoring thugs in the state, insisting that the incidents arose from internal disagreements within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The government described the allegations as false and irresponsible, accusing the APC of attempting to shift blame for its internal crisis to the state government and Adekanmbi.
In a statement signed by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the government said eyewitness accounts contradicted the allegations against Makinde and Adekanmbi.
“Attempting to recast an intra-party conflict as government-sponsored violence is a deliberate distortion of the truth,” the statement said.
The government maintained that Oyo State had witnessed a sustained decline in political thuggery and violent disruptions since Makinde assumed office, attributing the development to the administration’s security measures.
It listed the strengthening and professionalisation of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, the expansion of joint security patrols across the state, investment in modern surveillance and response equipment, and improved collaboration with federal security agencies as measures taken to maintain peace.
“The administration’s unwavering commitment to peace and stability makes the allegation not only untrue but entirely illogical,” the statement added.
According to the government, Makinde remains focused on governance and has no reason to sponsor violence against opposition parties or disrupt their political activities.
“A popular government has no reason or incentive to disrupt any opposition campaign. His focus remains firmly on governance, not political confrontation,” it said.
Addressing the reported attacks on Alhaja Alli, Engr. Remi Oseni and Hon. Funke Olunloyo-Osinowo, the government claimed that the incidents resulted from disagreements among APC members.
“Eyewitness accounts are clear: the individuals who attacked Alhaja Alli, Engr. Remi Oseni, and Hon. Funke Olunloyo-Osinowo were APC members caught in the middle of their party’s internal disagreements. These were cases of intra-party crisis, not government-sponsored incidents,” the statement said.
It accused the APC of politicising the incidents instead of addressing the disagreements within its ranks.
The government also warned that making unsubstantiated allegations about security matters could heighten political tension, mislead residents and undermine the efforts of security agencies to maintain peace across the state.
“Such statements heighten tension, mislead the public, undermine the work of security agencies, and ultimately endanger the lives of Oyo State citizens,” it stated.
Defending Adekanmbi, the government described the APM governorship candidate as a technocrat with a longstanding reputation for professionalism and lawfulness, insisting that he had no connection with political violence.
“Associating him with thuggery is unethical and inconsistent with his character and public record,” the statement said.
It added that Makinde remained committed to protecting lives and property, maintaining stability in communities, promoting responsible political engagement and pursuing development across the state.
“The allegation is false, reckless, and rejected in its entirety. The violence witnessed within the APC camp stems from internal conflicts within the party, not from any action by Governor Makinde or Hon. Adekanmbi,” the government declared.
The statement further criticised the APC, describing it as a “sinking party” and accusing it of attempting to exploit the allegations for political advantage.
It, however, insisted that the party should address its internal disagreements rather than engage in accusations against the state government.
“The Oyo State Government, therefore, counsels the APC to manage its internal crisis more responsibly and spare the people of Oyo State the unwarranted violence and thuggery arising from such avoidable acts,” the statement added.
The government reiterated its commitment to peace, stability and responsible governance, saying it would not be distracted by what it described as attempts to mislead the public.
