The Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) in Oyo State has denied allegations linking its members to an attack on members of the Accord Party around the Molete area of Ibadan, describing the accusations as an attempt to tarnish its image ahead of the forthcoming elections.
The party’s position followed an incident on Wednesday in which some Accord Party members were reportedly attacked by unidentified persons in the state capital.
In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Amubode Tosin, the APM accused the Accord Party of attempting to associate it with the incident despite, according to the party, having no involvement in the alleged attack.
The party also expressed disappointment with the leadership of the Accord Party in the state for allegedly trying to portray the APM in a negative light over an incident it claimed to know nothing about.
The statement noted that the Accord Party’s governorship candidate, Oriyomi Hazmat, was seen in a viral video holding a campaign material belonging to an APM candidate and alleging that it had been recovered from one of the individuals involved in the attack.
The APM, however, dismissed any suggestion of its involvement, insisting that it had no members gathered around the location when the incident occurred.
According to the party, its state secretariat had been relocated from the vicinity of the alleged attack nearly a year ago, adding that another political party had since occupied the building previously used as its secretariat.
It further stated that it did not organise any campaign or electioneering activity around Molete on the day of the incident that could have brought its members to the area.
The party argued that these circumstances made attempts to link it to the alleged attack unjustified.
The APM also faulted the All Progressives Congress (APC) for reportedly accusing its members of responsibility for the incident, describing the allegation as part of what it called a recurring pattern of accusations against the party.
It alleged that both the APC and the Accord Party were attempting to shift attention from their political challenges by linking the APM to acts of violence.
The party urged the two opposition parties to focus on presenting their policy proposals and programmes to the electorate rather than making allegations against their political opponents.
“Both the APC and Accord Party are, however, advised to stop chasing shadows and instead be prepared to face the people of the state with the programmes they plan to implement, if they have any at all,” the statement said.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace and political stability in Oyo State, the APM called on residents and indigenes to support Governor Seyi Makinde’s efforts to leave behind a state they could be proud of.
The party maintained that it remained committed to peaceful political engagement as campaigns and political activities continued ahead of the forthcoming elections.
