Campaigners for Aiyedatiwa and Akinterinwa argue about the tear down of billboards

The Wale Akinterinwa Campaign Organization claimed on Sunday that thugs believed to be supporters of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had destroyed its billboards, ahead of the All Progressives Congress’ April 15 governorship primary in Ondo State.

Aiyedatiwa and Akinterinwa are two of the APC’s candidates for Ondo State governorship.

Aiyedatiwa should control his followers and advise them not to destroy Akinterinwa’s billboards in the future, the Wale Akinterinwa Campaign Organization said in a statement released on Sunday by Mr. Segun Ajiboye, the organization’s spokesperson.

Through its Director of Publicity, Mr. Kayode Fasua, the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organization Foot Soldiers, refuted the accusation, calling it a fabrication and a smear campaign against the governor.

However, the WACO claimed that Aiyedatiwa had not yet followed through on his pledge to investigate the situation, recalling that numerous billboards owned by Akinterinwa were allegedly damaged by Aiyedatiwa’s supporters during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the state in February.

The Akinterinwa group said, “Recall that we equally raised the alarm back in February when the governor’s thugs unleashed mayhem on the people during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the family of the late Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. While the governor vowed to bring to book those behind the heinous attacks, it is not surprising that nothing has been heard of the case since.

“The actions of the governor and his thugs have continued to bring the name of our great party into disrepute, while other political parties in the state stand on the sidelines watching and plotting how to exploit the situation.

“Again, we want to use this opportunity to urge leaders of the APC in Ondo State and at the national level to caution Governor Aiyedatiwa before he destroys the party in the state. We also call on all security agencies, including the police and the DSS to ensure the safety of supporters of other aspirants and their properties across the state.”

However, the head of Aiyedatiwa’s campaign group, Fasua, characterised the assertion made by WACO as an effort to undermine the governor.

“They are alleging the destruction of their principal’s billboards by political thugs loyal to the governor but display a sheer lack of smartness in cooking up the lie. For instance, a single proof of identification of where the thugs reside as base, and who their commander is, are never cited in the gale of accusations.

“What is clear to all, however, is that most of the deified billboards under reference appear inferior, suggesting that they were poorly erected and of weak gait. Remember that this is the rainy season accompanied by whirlwinds, thus justifying the time-tested saying that all pretensions will collapse.

“Rather than drag the good name of Aiyedatiwa into apparent internal dishonesty in their camp, they are best advised to set up a probe panel within their tent, to find out who cut the corners, “ Fasua stated.