The Odidiomo Campaign Organisation has condemned a video circulating on social media concerning the recent unrest in Molete, Ibadan, describing allegations linking its principal, Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullahi Olajide Odidiomo, to the incident as malicious, unsubstantiated and defamatory.
The organisation, in a press statement issued in Ibadan on Thursday
its spokesperson, Tolu Mustapha, demanded verifiable evidence to substantiate the allegations or their immediate withdrawal, alongside a public apology from media personality Oriyomi Hamzat.
The campaign organisation warned that failure to comply with its demands within the stipulated timeframe would prompt its legal team to initiate court proceedings to protect the reputation and integrity of Odidiomo, the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) senatorial candidate for Oyo South.
Controversy Over Campaign Cap
The controversy reportedly followed a Facebook Live broadcast on Oriyomi Hamzat Live, during which Hamzat displayed a fez cap allegedly belonging to Odidiomo.
According to the campaign organisation, Hamzat alleged during the broadcast that individuals wearing similar customised caps attacked him during the Molete disturbance. He also reportedly linked the same group to an earlier alleged assault involving Hon. Remi Oseni.
However, the Odidiomo Campaign Organisation firmly rejected any connection between its principal and the incidents, insisting that the allegations were unsupported
credible evidence.
The organisation maintained that Odidiomo had no involvement in the alleged attack on Hamzat or the earlier incident involving Oseni.
“We have no business with you, and we are not contesting for the same position,” the statement read.
It further stressed that Odidiomo’s senatorial ambition in Oyo South was separate from the controversy and urged Hamzat to provide verifiable evidence rather than make allegations capable of damaging the reputation of a political candidate.
Organisation Demands Verifiable Evidence
The campaign organisation challenged Hamzat to provide concrete evidence establishing what transpired during the Molete disturbance, the identities of those involved, and any demonstrable connection between the incidents and the alleged campaign caps.
It specifically demanded evidence to support the claim that the alleged attackers wore caps associated with Odidiomo and that the same individuals were involved in the reported assault on Oseni.
According to the statement, Hamzat was given 24 hours to substantiate the allegations with credible and verifiable evidence.
The organisation further demanded that, should he fail to provide the required evidence, he must remove the video from circulation, record and publish a five-minute video retracting the allegations, and issue a formal public apology.
It also requested that the apology be published in five major national newspapers and across 10 leading online news platforms within 72 hours.
Threatens Legal Action Over Alleged Defamation
The organisation warned that failure to meet its demands within the specified period would leave it with no option but to direct its legal team to commence appropriate court proceedings over alleged criminal defamation and libel.
It said the proposed legal action was necessary to protect the reputation of its principal against what it described as damaging allegations circulated through social media.
The campaign organisation maintained that public figures and political candidates should not be linked to alleged acts of violence without credible evidence establishing their involvement.
Urges Residents to Reject Unverified Claims
Meanwhile, the Odidiomo Campaign Organisation commended residents of Oyo State who had questioned the circumstances surrounding the Facebook Live broadcast.
It urged members of the public to exercise caution when consuming and sharing information on social media, particularly claims capable of influencing public perception of political candidates ahead of the forthcoming elections.
The organisation reiterated its call for evidence-based public discourse, insisting that allegations capable of damaging an individual’s reputation should be supported
verifiable facts.
It maintained that it would pursue the matter through the appropriate legal channels if its demands were not met.
