Oyo’s Political Climate Heats Up As APC Demands Probe Into Attack On Hamzat’s Supporters

By Victoria Isaac 

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on security agencies to investigate the attack on supporters of Accord governorship candidate, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, during a procession in Ibadan, as the police confirmed that the incident resulted in the death of one person.

The victim, identified as Azeez Tajudeen, 40, reportedly sustained a severe injury to his right eye during the attack. He was rushed for medical attention and later taken to the State Hospital, Ring Road, Ibadan, where he was examined and confirmed dead. His remains have since been deposited at the hospital morgue.

According to the Oyo State Police Command, a report concerning the incident was lodged at a police station on October 14, 2026, by Kehinde Samuel Ibikunle. The group was reportedly attacked by suspected hoodlums shortly after leaving Molete while proceeding towards Iwo Road, where the Agidigbo FM office is located.

The police had earlier confirmed the attack through the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, who told PUNCH Online: “I am aware of the attacks. The loyalists of Hamzat were ambushed during a peaceful procession at Molete end of the ancient city.”

The procession was organised to welcome Hamzat back from the United Kingdom, from where he reportedly returned late Tuesday night. The campaign train was expected to move from the Ibadan Toll Gate end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway towards the headquarters of Agidigbo 88.7 FM along the Ojoo-Iwo Road Expressway.

Reports from the scene indicated that suspected hoodlums pelted the supporters with stones, while some vehicles conveying members of the campaign team were reportedly attacked with dangerous weapons. Several supporters were said to have sustained injuries, and some vehicles were vandalised.

In response, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, directed that the case be transferred to the Command Monitoring Unit for a thorough and discreet investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

The Command also urged political aspirants, party leaders and event organisers to notify the police at least 48 hours before any planned procession or public gathering. According to the police, advance notification would allow adequate security arrangements to be made, help prevent breaches of public peace and protect participants and other members of the public.

The police further appealed to anyone with credible information that could assist the investigation to come forward and cooperate with investigators.

Reacting to the incident, the Oyo APC, through its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, called for an objective investigation, alleging that the attack formed part of a broader pattern of violence against opposition members in the state.

The party also accused Governor Seyi Makinde of allegedly directing members of the Park Management System (PMS) to compel commercial motorists to display campaign materials in support of candidates of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). It linked previous attacks on APC members and the destruction of opposition campaign billboards, signage materials and posters to political elements it said were associated with the APM and PMS. These allegations have not been independently verified.

The APC stated:

“Just last week, members of the APC were attacked in three different places in Ibadan, and all accusing fingers were pointed at the APM gladiators who are known promoters of the political thug arm of the Park Management System (PMS) since 2019. The same set of state-backed violent elements have been fingered in the vandalism and destruction of campaign billboards, signage materials and posters of the opposition candidates in the state in recent times.

“The attack on Accord campaign train happened in broad daylight, and some of the residents could identify the culprits, but we do not want to preempt the positive outcome of an objective and thorough investigation expected from the police and other security agencies. Therefore, we urge members of the public to remain calm and vigilant at the same time. Those who work as thugs for the undemocratic elements in the political space are part of the society, and they must be exposed at all costs.

“The same power mongers who are compelling beleaguered commercial motorists to take up APM campaign assignment are responsible for sponsorship of violent attacks against members of the opposition parties in the state. The government of late Senator Abiola Ajimobi took us away from the era of political violence, and attempts by the current administration will be resisted by the good people of the state.” APC added.

The party maintained that those responsible for political violence should be exposed and urged residents to remain calm and vigilant while security agencies investigate the incident.

A witness, Kola, also condemned the attack, saying political differences should not lead to violence.

“This is democracy. You have the right to support any candidate of your choice. We ought to have outgrown this kind of politics of bitterness and thuggery in Oyo.”

Another group member, Kehinde Olaiya, said some supporters sustained injuries and vehicles were vandalised. He added that Hamzat remained committed to peace despite the incident.

The investigation is ongoing as the incident raises further concerns about the safety of political gatherings in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.