Ibadan Political Clash: Police Confirm Attack On Accord Supporters As Accounts Differ

The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed an attack on supporters of Accord governorship candidate Oriyomi Hamzat during a political procession in Molete, Ibadan, as conflicting accounts emerged over the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The confrontation occurred on Wednesday in the Molete area of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area, leaving some supporters injured and raising questions about the safety of political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Punch reported that the police spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the incident, saying Hamzat’s supporters were ambushed during what he described as a peaceful procession.

The procession was organised to welcome Hamzat back to Nigeria from the United Kingdom, according to reports by The Punch and Vanguard.

Vanguard reported that the suspected attackers pelted members of the procession with stones, leaving some supporters injured and vehicles in the convoy vandalised.

However, accounts of how the confrontation started remain disputed.

Samuel Ibikunle, popularly known as Arugbo Boiz and identified by OyoInsight as a spokesperson for Hamzat’s campaign, alleged in a Facebook post that the candidate’s supporters were attacked during the procession.

He maintained that the incident would not discourage the group from expressing support for Hamzat.

However, a person identified as a market operator challenged that account in a video circulating online, alleging that Accord supporters were responsible for the disturbance.

National Daily also reported the competing claims, noting that the identity of the market operator and the authenticity and full context of the videos said to document the incident had not been independently established.

The competing accounts mean that the identity of those who initiated the confrontation has not been conclusively established by the available evidence.

While the police confirmation establishes that an attack on Accord supporters was reported, it does not, by itself, determine who organised or initiated the incident.

Vanguard reported that Hamzat and security operatives intervened to calm agitated supporters and prevent a possible reprisal.

Despite the confrontation, the procession was expected to continue from the Ibadan Toll Gate end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway towards the headquarters of Agidigbo FM along the Iwo Road–Ojoo Expressway, according to the newspaper.

Hamzat is a radio presenter and the chairman and chief executive officer of Agidigbo FM in Ibadan.

The incident comes as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, the available reports do not establish the political affiliation of those responsible for the confrontation.