By Femi Emmanuel
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South and Oriire Federal Constituency, Dr. Kunle Adegbite, has condemned the alleged destruction of his campaign posters and banners by hoodlums reportedly acting on the orders of a faceless political sponsor.
Adegbite, in a press statement issued to journalists on Wednesday, expressed anger over the incident, which he said occurred across several areas of Ogbomoso North Local Government, including Randa-Safejo, Sabo, Taraa, Ojaigbo and the City area.
According to him, his posters and banners were allegedly torn, defaced and destroyed under the cover of darkness. He described the development as an act of cowardice, intimidation and political desperation capable of undermining the peace and tranquillity of Ogbomoso.
The NDC candidate said what was particularly painful was the alleged attempt to mount another politician’s posters over his own campaign materials, which he described as an effort to erase his political identity and disconnect him from his supporters and admirers.
Adegbite stressed that his political activities had been driven by his commitment to improving the welfare of vulnerable members of society. He cited his financial assistance to widows and widowers, payment of school fees for indigent but brilliant students, and the award of scholarships to deserving youths across Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South and Oriire Local Government Areas.
He noted that these interventions were undertaken with his personal resources despite the fact that he had never held an elective political office.
Adegbite maintained that violence, thuggery, intimidation and vandalism had no place in a democratic society, urging politicians to embrace fair competition and allow voters to freely choose their preferred candidates.
He appealed to his supporters not to retaliate against those allegedly responsible for the destruction of his campaign materials. Instead, he urged them to remain calm and report anyone caught vandalising his posters and banners to the appropriate security agencies.
“No one, no matter how powerful or well connected, can intimidate or force me out of this race,” Adegbite said, while insisting that every Ogbomoso indigene has the constitutional right to contest elections under the political party of his or her choice.
He further cautioned the alleged hoodlums and their sponsors to desist from further acts of vandalism, warning that anyone apprehended in the act would be made to face the full weight of the law.
Adegbite called on all political actors in Ogbomosoland to conduct their campaigns peacefully and responsibly, stressing that political differences should not be allowed to threaten the peace, unity and development of the community.
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