A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Dr Olusola Ayandele, has faulted the claim by the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo, popularly known as Ijaya, that the Allied Peoples Movement controls the political landscape in Ibarapa.

Ayandele described the commissioner’s position as an illusion, insisting that the political strength of any party would ultimately be determined by votes cast during elections, rather than claims made at political gatherings.

He expressed confidence that the APC would secure massive votes across Ibarapa in the 2027 general elections, saying his recent mobilisation activities and those of other party stakeholders reflected growing support for the opposition party in the area.

Speaking on the political situation in the zone, the APC chieftain said the electorate had become more politically conscious and would assess parties and candidates based on their records, credibility and commitment to the people’s welfare.

“Ojo is simply living in an illusion that he has political strength in Ibarapa which he does not have. The era when politicians could deceive the people with empty propaganda and manufactured political structures is gone,” Ayandele said.

He added that the people would not be swayed by what he described as political grandstanding or claims of popularity that had yet to be demonstrated at the grassroots.

Ayandele maintained that his recent political engagement in Ibadan was not a publicity stunt but part of a broader mobilisation effort aimed at strengthening the APC across Ibarapa.

He said more political stakeholders and supporters were identifying with the party, expressing optimism that the development would translate into votes in the next general elections.

The APC chieftain challenged Ojo and the APM leadership to demonstrate their claimed political influence through electoral performance rather than public declarations.

“Political strength will ultimately be measured by votes cast at polling units and not by claims made at political gatherings,” he said.

Ayandele urged APC members and supporters in the area to intensify grassroots mobilisation and remain committed to the party ahead of the elections.

He said the 2027 polls would provide an opportunity for voters to assess the competing parties and decide which candidates they believed could best address their concerns.

“We welcome Ojo to the political contest. Let him continue to make his claims, but 2027 will be the ultimate test. When the votes are counted, the people of Ibarapa will demonstrate clearly where their confidence lies,” he said.

Ayandele also expressed confidence in the APC’s prospects in the presidential and senatorial contests, saying he expected voters in the zone to support President Bola Tinubu, Senator Sharafadeen Alli and other candidates of the party.

However, his projection of massive APC votes in Ibarapa remains a political claim ahead of the 2027 elections, with the eventual outcome to be determined by voters at the polls.

The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation has raised the alarm over alleged attacks on the wife of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Alhaja Tawakalitu Alli, and two other APC candidates during separate political activities in Ibadan on Wednesday.

The organisation alleged that suspected supporters of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) were responsible for the incidents, which occurred at Ayeye, Orita-Merin and Idi-Arere areas of the state capital.

Mrs Alli was allegedly attacked during a medical outreach she organised at Ibikunle House, Ayeye, while the campaign trains of the APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Aderemi Oseni, and the party’s candidate for Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituency, Folake Olunloyo-Oshinowo, were also reportedly attacked during separate campaign events.

Reacting to the incidents, the Director of Media and Publicity of the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation, Bisi Oladele, described the attacks as “unwarranted” and “barbaric,” warning that political violence must not be allowed to return to the state.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Oladele called on Governor Seyi Makinde and the APM governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, to rein in their supporters and ensure that political activities in the state were conducted peacefully.

He said, “The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation is at the least miffed by the unwarranted and barbaric attacks by Allied Peoples Movement hoodlums on Alhaja Tawakalitu Alli during a medical outreach she organised at Ibikunle House, Ayeye, Ibadan, on Wednesday.

“Sponsored hoodlums also attacked the APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, and the party’s candidate for Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituency, Hon. Folake Olunloyo-Oshinowo, during separate campaign events at Agbaje Market, Orita-Merin, and Idi-Arere, Ibadan.”

The organisation urged security agencies to investigate the incidents and bring anyone found culpable to book.

It further accused those behind the alleged attacks of attempting to create an atmosphere of fear ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that APC candidates would not be prevented from meeting with voters across the state.

Oladele said the right of political parties and candidates to campaign peacefully was guaranteed by law, adding that political differences should not become a justification for violence.

He said, “APC candidates and supporters in Oyo State will not surrender our inalienable rights to freely associate, gather and campaign within the ambits of the law. No amount of threats will deter the party from campaigning across Oyo State.”

The campaign organisation also appealed to the state government and political parties to focus on issue-based campaigns and allow voters to freely assess the programmes and candidates seeking their support.

It said, “The good people of Oyo State deserve issue-based campaigns, not violence. We advise Governor Makinde, Adekanmbi and other political parties to focus on presenting their programmes and policies to the electorate, not visiting violence on the people.”

The organisation maintained that the alleged attacks would not stop APC candidates from taking their campaigns to the people, urging political actors to place the peace and security of the state above their individual ambitions.

It also called on the security agencies to ensure that political campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections were conducted in an atmosphere free from intimidation and violence.