APC Shut Down Ibadan For Tinubu Shettima …As Hoodlums Attack Supporters

Supporters and loyalists of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Oyo State on Tuesday staged a rally and street walk in support of the former Lagos Governor.

Thousands of supporters of the party stormed Oke-Ado state secretariat of the party as early as 8:00 a.m for the solidarity walk.

The APC gubernatorial candidate in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin told journalists at the event that the APC will not leave any stone unturned to take over from the incumbent Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The rally, which began around 11:00am was attended by several politicians including a one time member of the house of representatives, Hon. Dapo Lam Adesina, and a son of former governor Alao Akala and others who are contesting for different positions in the state under the APC.

The State Chairman of the Party, Hon. Isaac Ajiboye Omodewu, while thanking the supporters of the party, urged members of the public not to be intimidated by any threat from the ruling party in the state, saying that the APC is prepared to take over from the PDP-led administration in the state.

Meanwhile, a yet to be identified young man, in his mid-20, was shot by hoodlums around Labiran junction, while the rally was going on.

The APC supporters, who were caught in the violence, scampered for safety after the gunshot was fired.

The victim of the gunshot was said to be in critical condition and was in the pool of his blood, when he was rushed to a nearby hospital.

Others were also said to have been severely wounded with machete cuts inflicted on them by the hoodlums.

Senator Teslim Folarin described the attack as the “height of lawlessness, brigandage and provocation capable of heightening the tension in the state.”

Folarin said that it was unbelievable that when Nigerians are celebrating the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima as the standard bearer and running mate of the APC respectively for the 2023 presidential election, some hoodlums were planning to disrupt a peaceful rally staged in their honour.

Folarin added that despite several warnings by members of the APC to ensure that Governor Seyi Makinde tamed the hoodlums in the state they were hell bent on fomenting trouble.

He said ; “I’ve just been informed that some thugs loyal to the ruling party launched coordinated attacks on our members and support groups.

“Their leader personally led the attacks at Iyana Labiran enroute Oje in Ibadan.

“As peaceful and law-abiding citizens, we won’t take laws into our hands. To this end, I call on the law enforcement agencies to do the needful.

“Not minding the deadly attacks on our members by the agents of darkness, we will continue our walk for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima. The injured members are receiving treatments in an undisclosed hospital,” he said.

The rally took off at the APC office in Oke-Ado, Ibadan and proceeded to Molete, Bere, Agodi Gate, Mokola Dugbe and climaxed at Oke-Ado.

-Kunle Bakare.