The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed allegations linking the party and its leaders to acts of violence ahead of the August 15 governorship election, describing the claims as deliberate falsehoods aimed at tarnishing its image.
In a statement issued on Friday by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the APC accused the Accord Party and some members of the National and State Assemblies in the state of orchestrating a campaign of misinformation against the opposition party.
The party specifically rejected claims connecting its governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, and former governor Adegboyega Oyetola to alleged acts of political violence and misconduct.
According to the APC, the accusations were fabricated by political opponents seeking to sway public opinion as election campaigns gather momentum across the state.
The party also denied reports alleging attacks on political opponents and claims that vehicles were being branded with Accord Party insignia to create unrest.
“We want to enjoin members of the public to discountenance these frivolous fabrications against our party, our governorship candidate and the leader of our party,” the statement read.
The APC alleged that its opponents had consistently blamed the party and its leadership for incidents arising during political activities in the state, insisting that such accusations lacked merit.
Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful political engagement, the party stated that Oyebamiji remained focused on issue-based campaigning and lawful democratic processes.
“Oyebamiji, who is a man of peace, does not need to engage in violence before he records victory in the election,” the statement added.
The opposition party expressed confidence in its electoral prospects, maintaining that its grassroots mobilisation and campaign strategy had strengthened its position ahead of the governorship contest.
The APC further argued that growing dissatisfaction with the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke could influence voting patterns during the election.
It also claimed that the allegations against the party were intended to divert attention from challenges facing its political rivals while generating public sympathy.
“Our party has never and will never tow the path of violence to achieve its objectives under any circumstances,” the statement stressed, while urging residents to remain vigilant throughout the electioneering period.
The APC’s reaction followed a press briefing by lawmakers elected on the platform of the Accord Party, who called for the immediate redeployment of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, over allegations of partisanship.
Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, accused the APC of allegedly sponsoring violence ahead of the crucial governorship election.