Ahead of the primary of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo, one of the party’s prominent aspirants, Wale Akinterinwa, has accused incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of using political thugs to destroy his campaign billboards.

Peoples Gazette recalls that the APC had fixed April 25, 2024, for its governorship primary and pegged the price for the expression of interest and nomination forms at N50 million. 

Mr Akinterinwa, in a statement by the campaign organisation, asked both police and the State Security Service (SSS) to ensure the safety of his supporters and properties ahead of the exercise.

In the copy of the statement signed by the spokesperson for the campaign organisation, Segun Ajiboye, the aspirant said the destruction of his billboards was most noticeable at FUTA junction, where it was “shredded and pulled down.”

“Unsurprisingly, the governor’s goons went as far as threatening the advertising agency never to replace the destroyed billboard. They went further to threaten to revoke his licence if he replaced it. This, again, is not unexpected, going by the desperation in the camp of Governor Aiyedatiwa.

“It is worth noting that not even in the bad days of the ‘wet e’ in the South-West were the scenes being created in Ondo State by Governor Aiyedatiwa and his thugs witnessed within the ranks of the same political party,” he stated.

Reacting to the allegations, Mr Aiyedatiwa accused Mr Akinterinwa of scheming to seize power through any means and hence was playing deceit on the state’s people.  

The governor, aiming to reclaim the seat, added that there was no justification for Mr Akinteriwa’s latest “lie” against him.

Mr Aiyedatiwa, in a statement issued by the director of media for his campaign organisation, Kayode Fasua, noted that Mr Akinterinwa’s deceit was to whittle down his soaring popularity and victory ahead of the primary. 

“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 a 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.

“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 corners,” he said. 

At least 15 aspirants have shown interest in jostling for the party’s ticket ahead of the November 16, 2024, election.