A group within the All Progressives Congress, APC, has raised concerns over what it described as alleged sustained intimidation, arrests and harassment of supporters of Engineer Kayode Ojo, a 2026 governorship aspirant in Ekiti State.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the group alleged that several APC members who have openly or privately expressed support for Ojo have been subjected to intimidation, arrest, harassment and detention under the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
According to the group, the development poses a threat to internal party democracy, the rule of law and public confidence in democratic institutions, noting that political pluralism within a party should not be criminalised.
Those listed as affected include APC members from different parts of the state such as Bayo Aderiye (Ado-Ekiti), Toyin Abeleje, Taiwo Fabiyi (Emure-Ekiti), Taiwo Otunlape, Bayo Itakorode (Igede-Ekiti), Obebe Oluwafemi Ayekooto (Otun-Ekiti), Olugbenga Kayejo (Ikere-Ekiti), Omoleye Olajide (Ifaki-Ekiti), as well as members of the APC ward executive in Ikoro-Ekiti, including the ward chairman, women leader and youth leader.
The statement described the arrests and alleged harassment as part of a deliberate attempt to silence dissenting political views within the ruling party.
The group particularly drew attention to the arrest and detention of Akogun Abayomi, popularly known as Lustay, who was reportedly picked up by police officers on January 1, 2026, along Old Iyin Road in Ado-Ekiti after exchanging New Year greetings with an officer he was familiar with.
It was alleged that Abayomi was arrested without explanation or warrant and subsequently detained without access to his family, lawyers or medication. The group further claimed that repeated visits to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) office by his lawyer and family were met with denials that he was in custody, until his wife reportedly sighted his vehicle within the premises.
The group accused officers of the Rapid Response Squad of subjecting Abayomi to political intimidation, alleging that he was pressured to renounce his support for Engineer Kayode Ojo, an allegation it said he resisted.
Describing the situation as a national embarrassment, the group called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene and caution the Ekiti State Police Command against what it described as the misuse of law enforcement for political purposes.
It also appealed to the National Judicial Council to investigate the alleged abuse of judicial processes, particularly the application of Form K, in cases involving politically targeted individuals.
The group further called on the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, senior advocates of Nigeria and prominent Ekiti leaders to intervene in order to prevent what it described as a slide into repression and instability in the state.
The statement concluded with a call for the immediate release of Akogun Abayomi and other individuals allegedly detained over their political beliefs, as well as an independent investigation into the incidents.