By Lateef Odegbenle
Ogbomoso, Oyo State —
Normalcy has returned to the Ogbomoso campaign office of Hon. Gbemileke Alagbe, popularly known as Eleniyan, following the repair of the facility that was earlier vandalised by suspected political thugs, in an incident that heightened political tension in the ancient town.
The campaign office, belonging to the governorship aspirant on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was attacked in the early hours of Saturday, September 20, 2025, when unidentified individuals reportedly stormed the premises and destroyed campaign banners and materials using sharp objects.
Residents and party loyalists who visited the scene hours after the incident described the attack as calculated and politically motivated, noting that the office had only recently been unveiled amid growing grassroots mobilisation for Eleniyan’s candidacy.
Confirming the development on the 9 Friday, January, 2025, Eleniyan announced that the damaged office had been fully repaired, describing the swift restoration as a symbolic response to intimidation and an affirmation of his campaign’s resilience.
“Our campaign office in Ogbomoso, which was destroyed by suspected political thugs, has been repaired,” Eleniyan told The Merit Newspaper correspondent. “This movement is beyond bricks, banners, or buildings. It is about the people, and no amount of intimidation can stop the will of the people.”
Reacting earlier to the attack, Eleniyan had accused political opponents of sponsoring violence out of fear of his growing acceptance across Oyo State.
“At about 1:30 a.m., we received information that our campaign office was attacked by thugs loyal to a failed government we abandoned because of continuous borrowing and the demolition of people’s properties,” he said in a statement.
“Instead of using the remaining days in office to serve the people, they have chosen violence. But I assure the people of Oyo State that we shall overcome. Their machines of intimidation will amount to nothing.”
Despite the incident, Eleniyan struck an optimistic note, urging supporters to remain peaceful and focused on the broader goal of good governance.
“We will defeat them with the strength of the people’s will,” he said. “Our struggle is not about hatred or destruction, but about restoring hope, dignity, and prosperity to Oyo State.”
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Residents of Ogbomoso condemned the attack, describing it as an embarrassment to democratic values. Mrs. Taye Afolabi, a trader in the area, said the act had strengthened public sympathy for the ADC aspirant.
“This is shameful behaviour,” she said. “If they have achievements, they should show them. Destroying banners will not change the truth. The people know who stands with them.”
Similarly, a community leader, Alhaji Kareem Olatunji, described the incident as a “cowardly attempt to silence a rising political voice.”
“Eleniyan has inspired many with his message,” he said. “If anyone thinks vandalism will stop him, they are mistaken. The people are watching, and they will respond at the polls.”
Political observers in Oyo State say the attack—and the swift repair of the office—may further boost Eleniyan’s profile, casting him as a symbol of resilience amid growing dissatisfaction with the political status quo.
With his slogan, “Ogbomoso Lokan, Gbemileke Ni Joor,” resonating across Ogbomoso, Oke Ogun, Ibarapa, and Ibadan, analysts note that Eleniyan’s entry into the ADC governorship race has significantly reshaped the political conversation ahead of the 2027 elections.
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As campaigns gradually intensify, the incident serves as a reminder of rising political tension in the state—and a test of the commitment of political actors to peaceful democratic engagement.
