The Oyo State Government has challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to resolve its internal crisis, dismissing allegations that Governor Seyi Makinde and governorship candidate Bimbo Adekanmbi are sponsoring political thugs in the state.
The government described the accusation by the Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation as false and irresponsible, insisting that the attacks involving some political figures stemmed from disagreements within the APC.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the government accused the opposition party of attempting to turn an internal dispute into a case of government-sponsored violence.
It maintained that eyewitness accounts indicated that the attacks on Alhaja Alli, Engr. Remi Oseni and Hon. Funke Olunloyo-Osinowo involved aggrieved APC members caught up in the party’s internal disagreements.
“These were cases of intra-party crisis, not government-sponsored incidents,” the statement said, adding that attempts to implicate Makinde and Adekanmbi amounted to politicising the matter.
The government argued that Makinde’s administration had consistently worked to reduce political violence and maintain peace across the state since assuming office.
It attributed the progress to measures including strengthening the Amotekun security outfit, expanding joint security patrols, investing in surveillance and response equipment, and improving coordination with federal security agencies.
According to the statement, the administration’s commitment to peace makes the allegations against the governor unjustified.
It further argued that Makinde had no reason to sponsor attacks against opposition campaigns, insisting that his attention remained focused on governance and development rather than political confrontation.
Govt Defends Adekanmbi
The government also rejected the allegations against Adekanmbi, describing him as a technocrat with a reputation for professionalism and lawfulness.
It insisted that the governorship candidate had no connection with political violence and argued that there was no basis for linking him to the attacks.
“Associating him with thuggery is unethical and inconsistent with his character and public record,” the statement said.
The government warned that spreading unsubstantiated allegations about security incidents could heighten political tension, mislead the public and undermine the work of security agencies.
It urged political organisations to exercise restraint and avoid statements capable of endangering residents or disrupting the peace in the state.
The administration also reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, maintaining stability in communities and encouraging responsible political engagement.
APC Told to Resolve Internal Crisis
Taking a swipe at the opposition, the government accused the APC of exploiting the incidents for political advantage instead of addressing its internal disagreements.
It urged the party to manage its crisis responsibly and prevent further violence arising from disputes among its members.
The statement also expressed confidence in the continued support of residents for Makinde and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate, Adekanmbi.
The government maintained that it would not be distracted by what it described as attempts to tarnish the administration’s image, insisting that Oyo State remained committed to peace, stability and responsible governance.
