Ahead of the April 15 governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, the Wale Akinterinwa Campaign Organisation, on Sunday, alleged that the destruction of its billboards by thugs suspected to be supporters of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Both Aiyedatiwa and Akinterinwa are among the APC governorship aspirants in Ondo State.
In a statement on Sunday by its spokesperson, Mr Segun Ajiboye, the Wale Akinterinwa Campaign Organisation called on Aiyedatiwa to rein in his supporters and caution them against further destruction of Akinterinwa’s billboards.
However, the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot Soldiers, through its Director of Publicity, Mr Kayode Fasua, denied the allegation, describing it as falsehood and a ploy to drag the name of the governor in the mud.
But the WACO, which recalled that many of the Akinterinwa’s billboards were allegedly destroyed by Aiyedatiwa’s supporters during the visit of President Bola Tinubu to the state in February, said Aiyedatiwa had yet to fulfill his promise to look into the matter.
The Akinterinwa group said, “Recall that we equally raised the alarm back in February when the governor’s thugs unleashed mayhem on the people during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the family of the late Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. While the governor vowed to bring to book those behind the heinous attacks, it is not surprising that nothing has been heard of the case since.
“The actions of the governor and his thugs have continued to bring the name of our great party into disrepute, while other political parties in the state stand on the sidelines watching and plotting how to exploit the situation.
“Again, we want to use this opportunity to urge leaders of the APC in Ondo State and at the national level to caution Governor Aiyedatiwa before he destroys the party in the state. We also call on all security agencies, including the police and the DSS to ensure the safety of supporters of other aspirants and their properties across the state.”
But the director of Aiyedatiwa’s campaign group, Fasua, described the claim by WACO as an attempt to discredit the governor.
“They are alleging the destruction of their principal’s billboards by political thugs loyal to the governor but display a sheer lack of smartness in cooking up the lie. For instance, a single proof of identification of where the thugs reside as base, and who their commander is, are never cited in the gale of accusations.
“What is clear to all, however, is that most of the deified billboards under reference appear inferior, suggesting that they were poorly erected and of weak gait. Remember that this is the rainy season accompanied by whirlwinds, thus justifying the time-tested saying that all pretensions will collapse.
“Rather than drag the good name of Aiyedatiwa into apparent internal dishonesty in their camp, they are best advised to set up a probe panel within their tent, to find out who cut the corners, “ Fasua stated.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
