2027: Ekiti ADC, NDC candidates condemn attack on campaign office

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The African Democratic Congress senatorial candidate for Ekiti North, Funso Ayeni, has condemned the attack on his campaign office in Ido Ekiti and called for a police investigation.

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The National Democratic Congress House of Representatives candidate for Ikole/Oye Federal Constituency, Ayodele David-Adesua, also condemned the attack.

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The campaign office, located in Ido Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti North Senatorial District, was inaugurated last Thursday.

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Ayeni, who spoke on Saturday during an assessment visit to the damaged office, urged law enforcement agencies to investigate the incident and establish the circumstances surrounding the attack.

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The candidates, who urged political tolerance ahead of the 2027 general elections, said politics should be a contest of ideas and issues rather than a basis for violence, destruction and intimidation.

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He said, “I am here today not only to inspect the damaged office, but to draw attention to a development that should concern every peace-loving citizen of Ekiti State, particularly those in Ekiti North Senatorial District.

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“Whatever the circumstances surrounding the damage to this office, political disagreement must never become a pathway to destruction, intimidation or violence. I believe Ekiti must not walk the road of political violence.

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“Ekiti State is too knowledgeable, too educated and too politically conscious to allow such a culture to take place. I, therefore, call on the relevant security and law enforcement authorities to investigate what happened here and establish the facts.

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“Political competition should be about ideas, programmes, records and the service we are about to offer our people, not the destruction of one’s property or another person’s political office.

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“I will continue to advocate a peaceful, issue-based and responsible political environment in Ekiti North and across Ekiti State.

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“We can disagree without destroying. Let us compete without violence and ensure that the 2027 political season is remembered for ideas and accountability, and not intimidation, destruction or bloodshed.”

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Ayeni appealed to his supporters across the senatorial district to remain calm and not take the law into their own hands despite the provocation.

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In a solidarity statement made available in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, David-Adesua expressed concern over the destruction of Ayeni’s campaign office.

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He said, “My sympathy is with Dr Ayeni and the ADC family in Ekiti State. What affects one of us affects all of us in Ekiti North. We need peace to win together.

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“I condemn in totality this act of political intolerance, vandalism and destruction. This is unacceptable, undemocratic and alien to the peace-loving nature of Ekiti people.

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“I, therefore, join the ADC in calling on all relevant security agencies to carry out a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into this incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

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David-Adesua also called on political parties, candidates, supporters and youths in Ekiti North to embrace peace.

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“Let us campaign with decorum. Let us sell our manifestos and allow Ekiti people to decide freely.

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“Elections must be a contest of ideas, policies, character and capacity to deliver, not a contest of violence, intimidation and destruction of property.

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“We may belong to different political parties, but we are not enemies. We are brothers and sisters contesting to serve the same people.

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“Politics should build, not destroy. Campaigns should be about issues that affect our people, jobs, security, education, agriculture and infrastructure in Ekiti North—not about attacking opponents.

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“Tolerance must be our watchword before, during and after the general election. Elections will come and go, but Ekiti North will remain our home,” the NDC candidate stated.

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