By David Okoh
A member of the House of Representatives, Davidson Akinlayo, has dismissed allegations of thuggery levelled against him by the Ekiti State Police Command, describing the claims as politically motivated and aimed at discouraging his supporters from participating in the forthcoming primary election of the All Progressives Congress.
Akinlayo, who currently represents Moba/Ilejemeje/Ido-Osi Federal Constituency at the National Assembly and is seeking re-election, said the accusations were part of a calculated attempt by political opponents to tarnish his image and undermine his growing popularity among party members.
The lawmaker’s reaction followed the arrest of eleven suspected political thugs by the police at Onikoyi Hotel in Ikun-Ekiti. The police had alleged that the suspects, who were reportedly found with dangerous weapons, were being sponsored by the federal lawmaker.
Speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti, Akinlayo denied any connection with the majority of those arrested, insisting that only two individuals among them are known to him and that both are members of his media team.
“They said they went to that hotel and caught some people. It is only two people that I know from that group — the Head of my Media Team and the Assistant Media Officer, Boluwatife Ishola and Babatope Ibitola. They are well known in Ekiti State as media professionals and have never been involved in any criminal activity,” he said.
The lawmaker further explained that he had only stayed briefly at the hotel when his residence was fumigated and had since returned home.
“So the rest that were arrested are not from my federal constituency, none of them works for me, and I don’t even stay in the hotel anymore,” he added.
Akinlayo alleged that several of the arrested individuals are government appointees and “non-state actors” known within the state political environment, questioning how such individuals could be linked to him.
“How are they working for me? How come I now bought them guns? Do I even have a gun myself?” he queried.
The APC aspirant also highlighted his business background and philanthropic activities, stressing that he entered politics as an accomplished entrepreneur and not as a dependent politician.
“I had thriving businesses before joining politics. I own functional gas plants, filling stations and I am into real estate. I came into politics with my resources and I use them to help people. That is why the people love me,” he stated.
According to him, his charitable interventions and accessibility to constituents across Ekiti State have earned him massive grassroots support beyond party affiliations.
Akinlayo also accused one of his opponents in the APC primary race of attempting to manipulate the process through intimidation rather than engaging in active campaigns across the constituency.
He alleged that residents were being threatened against participating in what he described as a “shadow election,” insisting that democracy must be allowed to thrive through a free and fair contest.
“People are being told not to come out to vote, that they will be attacked. But people will come out and vote for the candidate of their choice. Why are they afraid of a free and fair contest?” he asked.
The lawmaker further accused his rival of boasting about political connections and attempting to intimidate aspirants by claiming the backing of influential political figures.
“My opponent is only interested in writing results. He is not ready for the real contest. Democracy is government of the people, not one individual sitting comfortably somewhere and writing results,” Akinlayo stated.
He called on the leadership of the APC and security agencies to ensure neutrality and adequate security before, during and after the primary election.
According to him, security personnel including the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) should be deployed across all wards from early hours of the day to guarantee peaceful conduct of the exercise.
“People should be allowed to troop out freely and vote for the candidate of their choice without intimidation,” he said.
Reiterating that neither he nor his media aides are criminals, Akinlayo pointed to the peaceful nature of his recent campaigns across three local governments, noting that no incident of violence or injury was recorded.
“I am the candidate to beat. A popular candidate only needs the masses and the support of God. I don’t depend on intimidation or manipulation,” he declared.
The lawmaker concluded by appealing to the media and security agencies to protect the nation’s democracy and prevent political actors from turning the electoral process into violence.
“Some people sacrificed their lives for this democracy and some people now want to turn it into a battlefield. It shouldn’t be,” he said.
