The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State and the state chapter of Allied People’s Movement, on Wednesday, traded words over the vandalisation of Alli’s billboards in Ibadan.

While Alli of APC campaign organisation accused supporters of APM governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, of vandalising Alli’s billboards in many parts of Ibadan, the APM said it has become a norm for APC to constantly spread falsehood and unfounded allegations in its bid to secure the confidence of the people of the state.

The accusations were contained in their separate statements issued by SSACO’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, and the state Director of Communication/Spokesperson for APM Governorship Campaign Council, Yinka Oladoyinbo, in Ibadan, the state capital.

Oladele said, “The billboards of Senator Alli and his running mate, Soji Adedeji, have been vandalised by Adekanmbi’s supporters in Mokola, Sango, Monatan-Olodo road, Odo-Ona and Toll Gate-Iwo road section of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, among others.

“The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation is raising the alarm over vandalisation of our candidates’ billboards in many parts of Ibadan by supporters of Hon Bimbo Adekanmbi, the APM governorship candidate in the state. This came after Senator Alli’s wife and two other APC candidates were attacked in Ibadan last week.

“This sad development, once again, confirms the fear within the circle of Governor Seyi Makinde and his stooge – Adekanmbi – of the impending loss they’ll face in the forthcoming election.

“Despite the reality of their potential rejection by the good people of Oyo in the 2027 elections, there is absolutely no justification for Adekanmbi’s supporters to attack our candidates or vandalise APC candidates’ billboards. It is barbaric and completely unacceptable. Nigerian democracy has gone beyond this barbaric act, and our people are wiser now.

“We warn APM hoodlums to desist from this reprehensible act, and refrain from stoking tension in the polity. Oyo is a peaceful state. Governor Makinde and Hon Adekanmbi should immediately call their goons to order. Oyo does not deserve violence from them.”

SSACO, therefore, called on the state Commissioner of Police and heads of other security agencies to fish out perpetrators of this act and ensure they face the wrath of the law.

“Democracy guarantees freedom of every candidate to campaign in an election. And APC candidates will not surrender this democratic right. This latest development brings to the fore, sadly too, our earlier warning of the APM’s destructive venture, in a statement we issued last week.

“Now that they (the APM) have shown that they are a bunch of reckless and lawless individuals, with no regard whatsoever for the law, we call on security agencies to immediately swing into action to prevent a recurrence of these vandalisms, which is a sad reminder of the dark days of brigandage.”

The campaign organisation then urged all APC members and supporters in the state to remain calm and avoid taking laws into their hands, adding that they should resist provocation by Adekanmbi’s hoodlums, as he who is down fears no fall.

“When elected, Alli’s governance blueprint christened Oyo AHEAD will restore the glory of the state and put our dear state on a faster development lane for the benefit of all,” the SSACO promised.

In his reaction, the state Director of Communication/Spokesperson for the APM Governorship Campaign Council, Yinka Oladoyinbo, said the latest from the APC came when it tried to blame APM and its governorship candidate, Adekanmbi, for the alleged destruction of its billboards.

Oladoyinbo said, “The state APM Governorship Campaign Council says unequivocally that it has nothing to do with whatever happens to the campaign materials of the APC, and should not be dragged into such if it ever happens.

“The party hereby strongly warns the APC and its candidate to desist from linking Adekanmbi and the APM with any act of violence involving the APC and its members, as the last seven years of the leadership of the state under Governor Seyi Makinde have been characterised by peaceful coexistence and development.

“The APC should stop raising unsubstantiated allegations against Adekanmbi, a well-known man of peace, who has never been associated with any activity that can lead to the destruction of other people’s properties.

“We want the APC and its handlers to know that no amount of falsehood and unfounded allegations against Adekanmbi and the APM can stop their being defeated at the polls in 2027.

“The people of the state are well aware of the tactics of the APC and its candidate and are familiar with their act of spreading lies and falsehood in order to endear themselves to the people, a development that has been recurring since electioneering gained momentum.

“It is obvious that the APC governorship candidate and his party have no tangible issue and programme with which they can convince the people to vote for them at the polls, hence their resort to deception and blackmail.

“However, the people that have experienced good governance with excellent service delivery under Governor Makinde in the last seven years will not return to the dark era as they are wiser and convinced that continuity is the best option that can further sustain and extend the development of the state.”

Oladoyinbo also appealed to security operatives in the state to thoroughly investigate the allegation to ascertain the authenticity of the claim and expose those behind the act.

“We also want to appeal to our members to continue to be peaceful and go about their electioneering activities without fear, believing that the security agencies are capable of ensuring the security of their lives and property,” the spokesperson for the APM governorship candidate urged.

The Accord National and State House of Assembly candidates in Osun State have declared support for Governor Ademola Adeleke over the role assigned to him in President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign council.

They subsequently pledged their total support and commitment to mobilising votes for the President in the state.

The candidates stated this through the group’s co-chairman, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, in a statement he signed on behalf of the candidates, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Osogbo on Tuesday.

Egbedun commended Adeleke for his leadership and commitment to the political alliance, affirming that the Accord National and State House of Assembly candidates remained firmly aligned with the governor in his political engagements and efforts to advance the party’s interests.

He said the group was united in its resolve to support Adeleke and work collectively with him to secure substantial votes for President Tinubu in Osun State.

“Our political structure and grassroots reach would be mobilised to ensure that the President receives overwhelming support from the people of Osun State,” Egbedun said.

The Speaker stressed that the candidates’ pledge was more than a mere political declaration, explaining that it would translate into concrete action through sustained engagement with constituents, effective mobilisation and continuous grassroots sensitisation.

“We recognise the importance of political cooperation and collective action in advancing the interests of Osun State and ensuring a productive relationship between the state and the Federal Government.

“So, we shall continue to stand with our leader, His Excellency, Mr Governor, with our unwavering loyalty, cooperation and total support as he undertakes this assignment,” he said.

He expressed confidence that unity of purpose and effective mobilisation would help Osun State record an impressive electoral outcome in support of President Tinubu.

He reaffirmed the Accord candidates’ readiness to work closely with Adeleke towards delivering the votes pledged for the President, stressing that their commitment to the governor’s leadership remained firm and unwavering.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); Ademola Adeleke, Governor of Osun State; and Chukwuma Soludo, Governor of Anambra State, in its presidential campaign council for the 2027 general election.

The appointments stand out because the three politicians belong to different political parties.

Wike is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adeleke won re-election in August under the Accord Party, and Soludo secured a second term in November 2025 on the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) platform.

Under the new arrangement, Wike will coordinate the APC’s presidential campaign in Rivers State and the FCT, while Soludo will oversee campaign activities in Anambra State and Adeleke will coordinate the campaign in Osun State.

Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, was appointed Deputy National Coordinator I for Stakeholders’ Mobilisation in the South-west.

President Bola Tinubu is expected to inaugurate the expanded list at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.

Tinubu, Shettima to lead campaign council

Mr Tinubu, the APC’s presidential candidate, will serve as chairman of the campaign council, while Vice-President Kashim Shettima will be the vice-chairman. Nentawe Yilwatda, the party’s national chairman, was named vice-chairman II.

Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State, was appointed secretary of the council, with Surajudeen Basiru as deputy secretary and Hadiza Usman as assistant secretary.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Governor of Kwara State, were named deputy vice-chairmen I, II and III, respectively.

Mai Buni, Governor of Yobe State, will serve as Deputy Director-General I for the North, while Barau Jibrin, Deputy Senate President, was appointed Deputy Director-General II for the region.

Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo North, was named Deputy Director-General for Mobilisation.

Opeyemi Bamidele, Senate Leader, and Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, were appointed Deputy Director-Generals I and II for the South, respectively.

Governors appointed state campaign coordinators

A major feature of the expanded list is the appointment of all 32 APC governors as coordinators of the presidential campaign in their respective states.

However, the party also named candidates to coordinate its campaign in states where it does not control the governorship.

Sharafadeen Alli, the APC’s governorship candidate in Oyo State, was appointed campaign coordinator for the state. Mohammed Abubakar, the party’s governorship candidate in Bauchi State, was named coordinator for Bauchi, while Chijioke Chukwu, its flagbearer in Abia State, will coordinate the campaign in Abia.

The party also appointed 14 advisers to the council. They include Bisi Akande, former governor of Osun State; Segun Osoba, former governor of Ogun State; George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Florence Ita-Giwa, former senator representing Cross River South; Ibikunle Amosun, former governor of Ogun State; and Iyiola Omisore, former APC national secretary.

Wale Edun, former Coordinating Minister of the Economy, was also named among the advisers.

Presidency says campaign council list remains valid

The expanded list follows an earlier controversy over the composition of the APC’s presidential campaign council after the party released an earlier list in August.

The Presidency later clarified that the initial list had not been withdrawn, although adjustments would be made to the campaign structure.

Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to Mr Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, clarified during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily in August.

Mr Dare said the list remained valid because the campaign structure was still being completed, with several subcommittees yet to be constituted.

The initial list, released on 22 August, named Abdulaziz Yari, former Governor of Zamfara State, as Director-General of the campaign council. Mr Akpabio, Mr Abbas and Mr Buni were appointed deputy director-generals.

The expanded list subsequently adjusted several positions and introduced additional appointments across the party’s national leadership, state structures and mobilisation teams.

The council is expected to coordinate the APC’s campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general election, including mobilisation, stakeholder engagement and efforts to secure support for Mr Tinubu’s re-election bid.