Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Oyo State, has commended President Bola Tinubu, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, and security agencies over the rescue of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Imo State.

The prospective corps members, who were travelling from Oyo State to their NYSC orientation camps, regained their freedom on Wednesday, seven days after they were abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State. The police confirmed that the victims were rescued at Amakohia Ubi Village following sustained search-and-rescue operations.

Alli, in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Media and Publicity of his campaign organisation, Bisi Oladele, described the development as a welcome relief to the victims, their families and the people of Oyo State.

He said the successful rescue demonstrated the commitment of the Federal Government and security agencies to protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.

The APC candidate commended Tinubu and Uzodimma for their leadership, while praising the security agencies for what he described as their courage, professionalism and coordinated efforts in securing the release of the victims.

Alli said the development was particularly reassuring because the victims were young Nigerians on their way to commence the mandatory national service when they were abducted.

He, however, urged security agencies not to relent, calling for stronger intelligence gathering and closer inter-agency collaboration to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The senator also called for the perpetrators of the abduction to be identified and brought to justice, saying the successful rescue should be followed by efforts to ensure that those responsible face the law.

He appealed to members of the public to support security agencies by providing timely and useful information that could assist in preventing crime and protecting lives.

According to him, the safety of citizens cannot be left to security agencies alone, stressing that government and the public must work together to create a safer society.

Alli expressed sympathy with the victims and their families over the ordeal, praying for the speedy recovery of the rescued prospective corps members and emotional healing for their relatives following the traumatic experience.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has condemned the attack on his campaign train at Agbaje Market in Ibadan North-West Local Government Area of Oyo State, calling on security agencies to investigate the incident.

The attack occurred on Wednesday afternoon when Oseni and his team were visiting market associations in Agbaje, Ayeye and Idikan as part of his consultation ahead of the 2027 elections. The trouble started while he was addressing traders at Agbaje Market, when armed political thugs reportedly attacked the venue and started shooting, forcing people to run for safety.

According to a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, some vehicles in the campaign convoy, including a security utility vehicle, and their windshields were hit  by bullets during the attack. The incident caused panic among traders, supporters and other residents at the market.

Security operatives attached to the campaign team quickly moved in and helped to control the situation, allowing the lawmaker, members of his entourage and supporters to leave the area safely. Oseni thanked God that no casualty was recorded and commended the security personnel for their intervention.

Describing the incident as disturbing, the chairman House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) said it was an attack not only on his campaign but also on the right of people to take part in political activities without fear.

“This is a brazen assault on peace, democracy and the constitutional right of every citizen to move freely and participate in political activities without fear or intimidation,” he said.

The APC candidate said the incident would not stop him from meeting the people across Oyo South, adding that his consultations were aimed at listening to their concerns and understanding what they expect from whoever represents them. He said politics should be about ideas, records and the ability to serve the people, rather than violence and intimidation.

Oseni appealed to his supporters not to retaliate, urging them to remain calm and allow the security agencies to deal with those behind the attack. “I appeal to our supporters to remain calm and law-abiding. We must not allow anyone to provoke us into taking the law into our own hands,” he said.

He also thanked the traders, residents, party leaders and supporters who came out for the consultation despite the incident. According to him, the attack would not change the goodwill he enjoys among the people, insisting that voters should be allowed to freely decide who they want to represent them.

“No attack, intimidation or destruction of campaign materials can determine the choice of the people. At the end of the day, it is the people who will decide. Our duty is to present our records and our vision to them, and their decision must be respected,” Oseni said.

He called on the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant security agencies to thoroughly investigate the attack, identify those responsible and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice. He said political violence should not be allowed to become part of the build-up to the 2027 elections.

The consultation was attended by the APC candidate for Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituency, Hon. Folake Olunloyo; Hon. Lowo Obisesan; party leaders, market stakeholders, supporters and other chieftains.

Oseni said he would continue his consultations across Oyo South, insisting that the incident would not stop him from meeting the people.

“We will continue to go to the people. We will continue to listen and engage peacefully. We will not be intimidated. The people deserve the freedom to choose, and that freedom must be protected,” he stressed.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has urged eligible voters across the district and the state to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) begins distributing newly printed cards ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

He urged eligible voters who participated in the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), transferred their polling units or applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced PVCs to take advantage of the exercise and collect their cards.

Oseni said the commencement of the distribution exercise was an important opportunity for eligible voters to complete the process ahead of the 2027 elections, urging them not to wait until the final days before collecting their cards.

“Democracy is not sustained by the demand for good governance alone; it also depends on the willingness of citizens to participate responsibly in the process of choosing their leaders.

“I therefore urge every eligible voter to collect their PVC and exercise their civic responsibility. No citizen should wait until the last moment before taking this important step,” he said.

The call comes as INEC commences the distribution and collection of 77,015 newly printed PVCs across Oyo State from Friday, October 9, to Thursday, October 15, 2026.

The exercise will take place at the state’s 351 Registration Areas and wards between 9am and 3pm daily, including weekends.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Oyo State, Prof. Adeniran Tella, said the commission would also make available unclaimed PVCs printed ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Oseni commended INEC for making the newly printed cards available ahead of the 2027 elections, saying eligible voters should take advantage of the exercise to obtain their cards in good time.

He also urged the electoral commission to ensure that the collection process remained transparent, accessible and orderly, while addressing avoidable difficulties that could discourage eligible voters.

“Every eligible voter should be given a fair and easy opportunity to collect their PVC. A smooth process will encourage more people to participate in the democratic process,” he added.

The federal lawmaker further urged INEC to sustain its efforts to improve access to PVCs and ensure that no eligible voter across Oyo State is left out of the electoral process.