By Julius Alabi, Akure
The House of Assembly candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) for Ondo East Constituency of Ondo state, Hon. John Ogunmoyero, narrowly escaped death after suspected political hoodlums attacked him on his way to his home town, Bolorunduro.
Sources in the area said the attackers were armed with guns, machetes, broken bottles and other dangerous weapons.
Ogunmoyero was attacked by thugs allegedly of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He was inflicted with machete injuries on one of his legs.
While speaking with Journalists, Ogunmoyero said: “I was coming from Ondo, on getting to Bolorunduro junction, Landmark Boys met me and attacked me. The attackers are Landmark Boys from APC.
“I have no problem with Hon Oladiji Olumide Landmark that would warrant such an attack except that he is of the APC and we are both contesting for the House of Assembly seat of the local government.”
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According to him, the attack was allegedly carried out at the instance of Hon. Landmark of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said: “Yes my people were attacked too as we are coming from Ondo to my home town, Bolorunduro. I just managed to escape with machete injuries. I believe I was their target because they knew it was my car coming.”
The NNPP House of Assembly hopeful (Ogunmoyero) had appealed to the Paramount ruler of the area, the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Adesimbo Victor Kiladejo to call the political thugs of All Progressives Congress to order who are planning to disrupt the House Assembly election on March 11 in the area.
“I will like to use this medium to inform the good leaders of Ondo East, leader/youths body of Ondo East, that it has come to my notice that our incumbent MHA, Hon Oladiji Olumide Landmark has instructed some boys to disturb the peace of good people of Ondo East starting from 9th of March 2023 till Election Day which is 11th March 2023.
“They planned to shoot sporadically in order to scare people away from voting and also to destroy any unit that will not favour him. I know Hon Landmark is looking for all ways to disrupt this election because he knows that he has no chance to win. Comrade Raymond Iku, Adibe, Sape, Lekan, Awesu and so on are the boys he wants to use and they are coming masking their faces but we know them.
“It’s a pity that our youths engage themselves in this kind of activity instead of them to aspire for such position as well. Hon Landmark leave my people alone in Ondo East, let them vote for their choice. Don’t bring bloodshed to our land because youths are ready to face them in a very hard way,” he added.
Meanwhile, the NNPP Chairman in Ondo East Local government area of the state, Hon. Ajisafe Gbenga Akinyemi has condemned the attack on the House of Assembly Candidate of the party, Hon Ogunmoyero John and his supporters by suspected hoodlums of APC.
“I call on the security agents to protect those exercising their fundamental rights in the next House of Assembly election in the area,” he said.