- Akinterinwa’s billboard destroyed by the hoodlums
….They want to scare our people not to come out to receive Akinterinwa, says Fatai-Lawal
Fatai Olushina, coordinator of the Wale Akinterinwa (WA) Campaign Organization in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo state, has raised an alarm over an attempt on his life and other supporters of Wale Akinterinwa in Owo.
Akinterinwa is seeking the nomination of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the gubernatorial primary election slated for April 20.
It was gathered that some political hoodlums armed with sophisticated firearms and other dangerous weapons stormed Fatai-Lawal’s street in Ijebu-Owo around 10 p.m. yesterday and began shooting sporadically.
According to eyewitnesses, these political thugs, numbering about ten, arrived in a Siena bus allegedly branded by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation and wore the popular Ayedatiwa’s “red beret.”
Some residents of Ijebu-Owo claimed that the attackers, who included some well-known political thugs in Owo who are members of LACO.
Fatai-Lawal, a former Special Assistant to the late Governor of Ondo state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, stated that the attackers’ goal was to create panic among the people ahead of Akinterinwa’s visit to Owo today.
“I was in Owo yesterday to make arrangements for our aspirant, Mr Wale Akinterinwa, who is visiting APC members in Owo today to canvass for votes ahead of the governorship primary on April 20.
“I left around 7 p.m for Akure, and around 10 p.m, I began receiving calls from our people reporting that some political thugs had invaded our area and were shooting sporadically.
“They also saw them shooting in front of my gate. Even people on my street expected them to force their way in, but they didn’t. Maybe someone told them that I’m not around.
“I immediately called the DPO and Director of DSS in Owo to report the incident. My people were scared because this was unusual for them.
“I am aware of their intention. They are aware and scared about the growing popularity of Akinterinwa in Owo. We held a meeting last Sunday, and the crowd was massive; they are aware that the people of Owo are preparing to march out in large numbers to receive Akinterinwa, who stood by their late son, Akeredolu, until his death.
“They want to scare our people so that they do not come out to welcome Akinterinwa, but I want to encourage them not to panic. They should come out to receive Akinterinwa. This Owo belongs to us all, and no political thugs can drive us away,” Fatai-Lawal stated.
He urged the police to look into the accusations made against LACO-FS supporters and should they be found guilty, bring charges against them.
Reacting, Spokesman for Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot Soldiers (LACO-FSIC), Kayode Fasua, urged Akinterinwa to provide evidence the thugs were sponsored by Aiyedatiwa.
“There are at least six aspirants from southern senatorial district besides Wale Akinterinwa. How come Akinterinwa’s lackeys, either as directed or deliberately, see Governor Aiyedatiwa as a muted punching bag? For the umpteenth time in their clueless attempts to disparage the irresistible popularity of the governor, they have been cooking up steaming-hot allegations that they are unable to substantiate.
“The fact of the matter remains that we require evidence to prove that their fathomed thugs who are better conjectured as goblins or gnomes, are from Aiyedatiwa. They are as unserious as their allegation. Any thug spotted destroying their billboard should be reported to the police, rather than distract a hardworking governor.”
