Oyo APC, APM trade accusations over destruction of Alli’s campaign billboards

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State and the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) have exchanged accusations over the alleged vandalisation of campaign billboards belonging to APC governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, in Ibadan.

The dispute intensified on Wednesday as Alli’s campaign organisation accused supporters of APM candidate Bimbo Adekanmbi of destroying billboards bearing the images of Alli and his running mate, Soji Adedeji, while the APM denied involvement and challenged the APC to substantiate its allegations.

In a statement issued by its Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) said the affected billboards were located in Mokola, Sango, Monatan-Olodo Road, Odo-Ona and the Toll Gate-Iwo Road section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, among other parts of the city.

The organisation linked the alleged vandalism to rising political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections and claimed the incident followed reported attacks on Alli’s wife and other APC candidates during political activities in Ibadan the previous week.

SSACO condemned the alleged destruction and called on the state Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to investigate the incident, identify those responsible and ensure they are prosecuted where appropriate.

It also urged APC members and supporters to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.

The campaign organisation accused Adekanmbi and Governor Seyi Makinde of failing to discourage alleged acts of hostility against opposition candidates. However, it did not provide independent evidence establishing that the APM candidate or the governor ordered or sponsored the reported vandalism.

Reacting through its Director of Communication and spokesperson for the APM Governorship Campaign Council, Yinka Oladoyinbo, the party denied any involvement in the alleged destruction of the billboards.

Oladoyinbo described the accusation as unfounded and warned the APC against linking Adekanmbi or the party to acts of violence without evidence.

The APM maintained that its candidate was committed to peaceful political engagement and accused the APC of attempting to damage his reputation ahead of the 2027 election.

The party also called on security agencies to investigate the incident thoroughly and establish the facts behind the allegations.

It urged its members to remain peaceful and continue their political activities without fear, while expressing confidence that the relevant authorities could protect lives and property.

The latest exchange follows an earlier dispute in September, when the APM denied an allegation by Alli’s campaign organisation that individuals linked to the party and the Park Management System were plotting to vandalise APC campaign materials across parts of Ibadan.

The controversy adds to growing political tensions in Oyo State as parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.

The competing claims have yet to establish who was responsible for the reported destruction of Alli’s billboards. An independent investigation would be necessary to determine the circumstances of the incident and whether any individuals or groups were involved.

The dispute has also renewed calls for political parties and their supporters to respect opponents’ campaign materials and pursue their electoral ambitions peacefully.

Neither party’s allegations should be treated as established fact unless supported by independently verified evidence or findings from the relevant authorities.