Oyo 2027: SSACO Alleges Makinde, Adekanmbi Are Shielding Suspects In Political Attacks

By Victoria Isaac 

The political dispute between the camps of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Senator Sharafadeen Alli has intensified, with the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) alleging that Makinde and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, are shielding suspected party members linked to attacks on opposition figures in the state.

The allegation was contained in a statement issued by SSACO’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, in response to claims by the Adekanmbi Campaign Organisation that SSACO and the All Progressives Congress (APC) had made unfounded allegations linking the APM to recent violence in Ibadan.

The controversy follows reported incidents on October 7 involving Mrs Tawakalit Alli, wife of Senator Alli; Hon. Remi Oseni; and Hon. Folake Olunloyo-Oshinowo. The dispute has also drawn attention to the killing of Ridwan Adeyemi, an APC member, with the rival campaign organisations trading allegations over the incidents.

SSACO dismissed the Adekanmbi campaign organisation’s response as an attempt to divert attention from the allegations, insisting that reports of political violence should be addressed through proper investigations rather than counter-accusations.

According to Oladele, the Adekanmbi campaign team had argued that public statements on the incidents could undermine the efforts of security agencies and allow criminals to disguise their activities as politically motivated attacks.

SSACO, however, rejected that argument, maintaining that its statements were intended to highlight attacks against APC members, candidates and other opposition figures, while drawing attention to the need to protect lives and ensure accountability.

The organisation further faulted what it described as inconsistencies in the APM’s response to allegations of political violence. It claimed that the party had previously accused APC members of attacking their own supporters but was now questioning the evidence allegedly linking suspected APM members to the reported incidents.

Against this backdrop, SSACO challenged Makinde and Adekanmbi to cooperate with security agencies investigating the incidents instead of criticising the APC for raising concerns about the alleged attacks.

It also alleged that some perpetrators were being emboldened by political leaders and their supporters, warning that political actors must refrain from conduct capable of escalating tensions in the state.

“No resident deserves to die or be attacked because of party affiliation or political choice,” the statement said.

SSACO also recalled Makinde’s 2019 governorship election victory as an opposition candidate, describing the political atmosphere during that period as peaceful. It maintained that he had inherited a peaceful state and urged him to preserve that atmosphere as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.

The organisation called on both Makinde and Adekanmbi to respect the political choices of residents and discourage violence, stressing the need for a political environment in which citizens can support their preferred candidates without fear of attacks.

Despite the ongoing dispute, SSACO expressed confidence in Senator Alli’s political prospects, insisting that violence would not alter the direction the people of Oyo State wished to take. It added that Alli remained committed to pursuing what it described as positive change through his Oyo-AHEAD agenda.

The exchange of allegations underscores the growing political tensions in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 governorship election. However, the claims surrounding the reported attacks remain allegations, and responsibility for the incidents must be established through investigations by the relevant authorities.