Oyo APC billboard vandalism allegations spark a war of words, as the APC accuses APM supporters while the opposition party denies involvement
The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Allied People’s Movement (APM) in Oyo State have traded accusations over the alleged vandalisation of campaign billboards belonging to Senator Sharafadeen Alli and his running mate, Soji Adedeji, in parts of Ibadan.
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The dispute emerged on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, after the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation accused supporters of APM governorship candidate Bimbo Adekanmbi of destroying the billboards at several locations across the state capital.
However, the APM rejected the allegation, accusing the APC of making unsubstantiated claims against its candidate and the party.
The accusations were contained in separate statements issued by the Director of Media and Publicity of the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation, Bisi Oladele, and the Director of Communication and spokesperson for the APM Governorship Campaign Council, Yinka Oladoyinbo.
Oladele said the billboards belonging to Alli and Adedeji had been vandalised in Mokola, Sango, Monatan-Olodo Road, Odo-Ona and the Toll Gate section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, among other locations.
He alleged that the incident involved supporters of Adekanmbi and expressed concern over what he described as a threat to peaceful political campaigning in the state.
The campaign organisation also linked the alleged vandalism to an earlier incident in which Alli’s wife and two other APC candidates were reportedly attacked in Ibadan the previous week.
According to Oladele, the development was unacceptable and should not be allowed to undermine the democratic rights of candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He called on Adekanmbi and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to caution their supporters against acts capable of escalating political tension.
The APC campaign organisation further urged the state Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to investigate the incident, identify those responsible and ensure that anyone found culpable faced the law.
Oladele also appealed to APC members and supporters to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands, despite the allegations.
He maintained that the party would continue its campaign activities, insisting that its candidates had the right to seek public support without intimidation or destruction of their campaign materials.
The organisation also expressed confidence in Alli’s proposed governance agenda, known as Oyo AHEAD, saying it would focus on accelerating development and improving the state if the APC candidate were elected.
In its response, the APM Governorship Campaign Council denied any involvement in the alleged destruction of the APC billboards.
Oladoyinbo said the party had nothing to do with whatever happened to the campaign materials and warned the APC against linking Adekanmbi or the APM to acts of violence without evidence.
He described Adekanmbi as a peaceful politician and argued that the APC should not make allegations that could damage the candidate’s reputation.
The APM spokesperson also defended the state government’s record, saying the past seven years under Makinde had been characterised by peaceful coexistence and development.
Oladoyinbo accused the APC of resorting to what he called falsehood and unfounded allegations as political activities gathered momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.
He further argued that the allegations would not prevent the APM from pursuing its political ambitions in the state.
The party, however, called on security agencies to investigate the matter thoroughly, establish whether the vandalism occurred as alleged and identify those responsible.
Oladoyinbo also urged APM members to remain peaceful and continue their campaign activities without fear, expressing confidence that security agencies would protect lives and property.
The exchange comes as political parties in Oyo State prepare for the 2027 general elections, with campaigning and public engagements expected to intensify in the coming months.
The APC and APM have offered sharply contrasting accounts of the billboard incident, with the former alleging that supporters of its rival were responsible and the latter denying any involvement.
As of the time of the statements, neither party had publicly presented evidence establishing who was responsible for the alleged vandalism.
The call by both campaign organisations for a security investigation places responsibility on the relevant authorities to establish the facts and determine whether any offence was committed.
The incident has also renewed attention on the need for political parties and their supporters to respect campaign materials, avoid violence and allow candidates to conduct their activities peacefully.
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The allegations remain disputed, and the identities of those responsible for the reported vandalism have yet to be established.
