IBADAN, Oyo State — The campaign organisation of All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Senator Sharafadeen Alli has called on elders in Oyo State to intervene following the reported killing of an APC member in Ibadan, amid allegations of politically motivated attacks ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) identified the deceased as Ridwan, popularly known as “Paul Moor,” who was reportedly attacked with machetes in Ibadan on Friday, October 16, 2026.
The organisation alleged that the killing was connected to his defection from the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) to the APC. However, the motive for the killing and the identities of those responsible had not been independently established as of the time of reporting.
In a statement issued by its Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, SSACO urged traditional rulers, community leaders and other elders across the state to call for restraint and encourage political actors to prevent further violence.
The organisation also appealed to the Oyo State Police Command and other security agencies to investigate the killing, identify those responsible and ensure that they are brought to justice.
Conflicting Details Emerge Over Killing
Reports identified the deceased as Ridwan Adeyemo, an APC member in Ward 6 of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area and a commercial motorcyclist.
According to reports published by Tribune Online and other local media outlets, he was attacked by a group of armed men in the Ita-Barika area of Agbokojo, Ibadan, and died at the scene.
The APC in Oyo State confirmed the death and called for an investigation. However, Tribune Online reported that the police spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said he could not confirm the attack when contacted.
SSACO alleged that the deceased was attacked because he had left the APM for the APC, reportedly a day before his 35th birthday. That account has not been independently verified, and no conclusion about the motive or the perpetrators should be drawn before the relevant authorities complete their investigation.
The campaign organisation condemned the killing and urged political leaders to ensure that disagreements over party affiliation did not result in threats to life or personal safety.
Campaign Organisation Cites Other Alleged Attacks
In its statement, SSACO also referred to other incidents it said had affected opposition politicians and their supporters in the state in recent weeks.
The organisation alleged that Alhaja Tawakalitu Alli, wife of Senator Sharafadeen Alli, was attacked during a free medical outreach programme she organised in Ibadan.
It further alleged that Hon. Folake Olunloyo-Oshinowo, the APC candidate for the Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituency, and the campaign team of Hon. Aderemi Oseni, the party’s candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, were attacked during separate campaign activities.
The organisation also cited an attack on the campaign team of Accord Party governorship candidate Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat at Molete, Ibadan.
Separately, the Oyo State Police Command confirmed that one person died following an attack on supporters welcoming Hamzat back to Ibadan on October 14. Police said the group was attacked by suspected hoodlums shortly after leaving Molete, and that the deceased, identified as Azeez Tajudeen, sustained a severe injury to his right eye.
The police-confirmed death in the Hamzat incident is distinct from the reported killing of Ridwan Adeyemo. The two incidents should not be treated as a single attack.
SSACO Urges Makinde and Adekanmbi to Intervene
The campaign organisation called on Governor Seyi Makinde and APM governorship candidate Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi to publicly encourage their supporters to avoid violence and respect the rights of other political parties.
SSACO accused the two politicians of failing to do enough to prevent the alleged attacks, but it did not present independently verified evidence establishing that either man directed or organised the incidents.
The organisation maintained that Oyo State belongs to all its residents, irrespective of political affiliation, and argued that supporters of different parties should be able to participate in campaigns and political activities without intimidation.
It also urged political leaders to respect the constitutional rights to freedom of association and expression.
The campaign organisation said Senator Alli would continue with what it described as an issue-based campaign and called on the APM to encourage peaceful political engagement.
Security Agencies Asked to Investigate
SSACO appealed to the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State and other relevant security agencies to investigate the reported killing and the other allegations raised in its statement.
The call comes amid growing political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections and recent disputes between the APC and APM over campaign activities and alleged attacks on political materials and supporters.
The police have previously urged political aspirants, party leaders and organisers of public gatherings to notify the command ahead of planned processions and events so that adequate security arrangements can be made.
The reported killing has raised fresh concerns about the safety of party members and campaign supporters as political mobilisation intensifies across the state.
IBN News could not independently establish the motive for the killing or verify SSACO’s allegations against APM supporters. The allegations should be investigated by the relevant authorities, and any individual found responsible should be held accountable through due process.
