The Oyo State Government has rejected allegations by the Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation that Governor Seyi Makinde and the Allied People’s Movement (APM) governorship candidate, Honourable Bimbo Adekanmbi, are sponsoring thugs in the state.
This was made known in a statement issued on Friday, October 9, 2026, signed by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju.
The government attributed the incidents to internal disagreements within the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that the violence had been wrongly presented as government-sponsored, thereby describing the claims as false and politically motivated.
The statement alleged that eyewitness accounts linked the individuals involved in the attacks on Alhaja Alli, Engr. Remi Oseni and Hon. Funke Olunloyo-Osinowo to the APC’s internal disagreements, rather than any action by the state government or Adekanmbi.
It maintained that Makinde’s administration had made sustained efforts to curb political violence through the strengthening of the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun, joint security patrols, investment in surveillance and response equipment, and collaboration with federal security agencies.
The government also argued that Makinde had no reason to sponsor violence against opposition campaigns, stressing that his administration remained focused on governance, security and development rather than political confrontation, describing Adekanmbi as a technocrat with a reputation for professionalism and lawfulness, denying any link between the APM candidate and political violence, noting that there was no basis for associating him with the alleged attacks.
The state government warned that unsubstantiated allegations concerning security could heighten political tension, mislead the public and undermine the efforts of security agencies to maintain peace across the state.
It urged the APC to address its internal disagreements responsibly and prevent further violence, while reiterating its commitment to safeguarding lives and property and promoting peaceful political engagement in Oyo State.
The statement also expressed confidence in public support for Makinde and Adekanmbi, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated attempts to shift attention from the APC’s internal challenges.
