Oke imports crowd for rally, APC alleges

The APC in Ondo State has alleged that Chief Olusola Oke, the AD Governorship Candidate in the forthcoming election, was mobilising supporters from Lagos and Osun states for his campaign flag off.

APC said in a statement on Monday by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Abayomi Adesanya, that Oke had hired over 500 luxury and mini buses to bring in supporters from the neighbouring states to the rally to deceive the people.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Nov. 26 for the Ondo State Governorship Election.

Adesanya said: “Some of our members have been receiving calls from APC members in Osun and Lagos states informing them of the planned mass mobilisation for the AD’s flag off campaign in Akure.

“We are reliably informed that Bola Ilori, the Director- General of Oke’s Campaign Organisation, who also doubles as an aide to the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has concluded plans with some APC leaders from Lagos and Osun states.

“The arrangement is to hire over 500 luxurious and BRT buses, among other mini buses, to ferry people from these two states to deceive the general public and the good people of Ondo State.

“Other desperate tricks being employed by Olusola Oke is generation of fake bulk SMS purportedly from EDO APC sent to people to deceitfully invite them to the flag off campaign.

“The reality on ground in Ondo State is that the APC Candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), is the most popular in the hearts of the good people of the state.

“The AD candidate is a third force that has no place of reckoning in the present Ondo State politics.

“The party, therefore, urges the people of the state to disregard whatever crowd seen at the AD flag off campaign as hired.

“Crucial issue about this election is about evolving a home grown governor for the state; one in tune with the cravings of the people, not one thrown up by political and business merchants outside Ondo State for the promotion of pecuniary interests of Lagos and Osogbo jobbers.”

In his reaction, Mr Kolawole Olabisi, the Chairman, Media and Publicity of Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation, advised APC to mind its problems and face its campaign like the AD candidate had been doing.

“Is it not an irony that a party that specialises in the importation of people from Osun, Ogun, Oyo and Lagos states where the party currently rules is now accusing a party that it described as an orphan?

“AD will not engage in such underhand methods that the APC is noted for. Our people from the nooks and crannies of Ondo State are the ones on ground now for our flag off rally.

“Oke is the headache and sole manifesto of the APC in Ondo State and we are aware of their shenanigans and evil plots to stop him from contesting.

“When these numerous plots are failing one after the other, they can merely heckle us,’’ Olabisi said.