A former member of the 8th House of Representatives representing Irepo/Oorelope/Olorunsogo Federal Constituency, Hon. Olatunbosun George Oladele has debunked reports circulating on social media alleging that the Oyo State APC governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, was stoned or booed during his recent visit to Igbeti and Kishi.
Oladele said the reports are false and appear to be part of an attempt by agents of darkness to create unnecessary tension and misrepresent the peaceful disposition of the people of Olorunsogo, Irepo and the wider Oke-Ogun region.
“It is important, to put the events surrounding the visit in their proper context.”
According to the former Rep, “On the approach to Irepo Local Government Area, Kishi, at Yoyin Village, our reporters observed a roadblock involving individuals believed to be supporters of Hon. Olaide Lateef Muhammed (POLAM). The group was reportedly led by Hon. Bili Ajana, a former Special Adviser to former Chairman of Irepo Local Government Area, Kishi, Hon. Tijani Afeez.
“According to information gathered at the scene, the protesters expressed dissatisfaction over the outcome of the APC primary, particularly the loss of their principal’s bid for a second-term ticket to represent the Irepo/Oorelope/Olorunsogo Federal Constituency.
“A political stakeholder from Irepo Local Government, Kishi, who spoke on the development, described the reaction as an expression of anger over the outcome of the primary. He argued that the disagreement should not be allowed to create unnecessary tension within the constituency, stressing that political representation must also give room for rotation, fairness and the emergence of new leadership.
“However, this incident should not be confused with the false claim that Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli was stoned during the visit”, Oladele said.
During his engagements in the constituency, Senator Alli paid homage to the Onigbeti of Igbeti and the Iba of Kishi, demonstrating respect for the traditional institutions of the two communities.
He also engaged with major religious stakeholders, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Muslim Community and Apapo Onisese. Political stakeholders were equally engaged across Olorunsogo and Irepo Local Government Areas.
These engagements took place within the broader framework of consultation, courtesy visits and political interaction.
Hon Oladele urged members of the public to distinguish between legitimate political disagreements and deliberately distorted narratives.
“If anyone has evidence that Senator Alli was stoned or booed in Igbeti or Kishi, such a person should not hesitate to publish it. Let the evidence speak for itself.
“We in Olorunsogo and Irepo are Oke-Ogun people, known for our peaceful disposition, hospitality and respect for visitors. Political disagreements are normal in a democracy, but they should never be used to portray our communities as violent or disorderly.
“Olorunsogo is peaceful, Irepo is peaceful, Oke-Ogun is peaceful”, he concluded.
