…Says Ikorodu belongs to us all
By Abimbola Joseph
CITIZENS COMPASS— Hon. Kehinde Oyefusi, African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for Ikorodu Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, yesterday, condemned the alleged persistent removal and destruction of the party’s campaign materials across the Ikorodu Division area of the State.
Oyefusi, disclosed this in a statement signed by himself and made available to Citizens Compass, in Lagos.
He called on other political party leadership, the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), described the incidents as unacceptable and called for an immediate end to the alleged intimidation.
He said he had previously raised concerns with political leaders, including All progressive party over the repeated removal of ADC banners and posters, but the incidents had continued unabated.
The ADC candidate said reports indicated that campaign banners displayed around Sabo Junction, the junction opposite Jandor Shopping Mall, after Majidun and other locations across Ikorodu had been removed.
“This is unacceptable and must stop. Let me state categorically: we will not continue to watch silently while our lawful campaign materials are removed or destroyed., enough is enough!” he said.
Oyefusi said the party had consistently appealed for calm and restrained its supporters from retaliating against the campaign materials of other political parties, despite their anger and frustration.
“Restraint must not be mistaken for weakness, and our commitment to peaceful politics must not be exploited,” he said.
He, however, emphasised that the ADC would defend its democratic rights through lawful means, including documentation, formal reporting and engagement with relevant security agencies.
“We will not tolerate intimidation, but neither will we encourage lawlessness or political violence,” he said.
Oyefusi disclosed that the Police and DSS had been notified and formal reports submitted, urging the agencies to conduct thorough investigations, identify those responsible and take appropriate action in accordance with the law.
He also called on the APC leadership and political stakeholders in Ikorodu to exercise restraint and caution their supporters against actions capable of undermining peaceful political activities.
“If the opposition is confident in its political record, its candidates and its programmes, there should be no reason to intimidate anyone or interfere with another party’s lawful campaign activities,” he said.
The ADC candidate stressed that no political party had a monopoly over public spaces or the political choices of residents, regardless of its influence, resources or campaign machinery.
“Ikorodu belongs to all of us. No political party owns its streets, junctions or communities,” he said.
He urged residents to freely display their preferred candidates, express their political opinions and vote for candidates of their choice without fear or intimidation.
Oyefusi also appealed to ADC supporters to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding, warning them against destroying campaign materials belonging to other parties.
He urged supporters to document and report every incident to the appropriate authorities rather than resort to retaliation.
“Let this be our final appeal: stop the intimidation, stop the destruction and allow democracy to thrive in Ikorodu.
“We want a free, fair and peaceful election—not a contest decided by intimidation and destruction of campaign materials,” he said.
Oyefusi is the ADC candidate for Ikorodu Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
