Akinlayo denies thuggery allegation, blames detractors
By Comfort Chukwukelue
A member of the House of Representatives, Rep Davidson Akinlayo, has denied allegations linking him to suspected political thugs, describing the claims as politically motivated.**
Akinlayo said the allegations were aimed at undermining his re-election bid ahead of the forthcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election.
The controversy followed the arrest of 11 suspected political thugs by the Ekiti State Police Command at the Onikoyi Hotel, Ikun-Ekiti, where they were allegedly found with dangerous weapons. The police had suggested that the suspects were being sponsored by the federal lawmaker.
Reacting to the development in Ado-Ekiti, Akinlayo, who represents Moba/Ilejemeje/Ido-Osi Federal Constituency, dismissed the allegation, insisting that only two of those arrested were known to him as members of his media team.
According to him, the two individuals, identified as Boluwatife Ishola and Babatope Ibitola, are his media aides and have no criminal records. He added that the remaining suspects were not from his constituency and had no connection to his campaign.
“I only know two people in that group, my head of media and assistant media aide. They are well-known media professionals and have never been involved in any criminal activity,” he said.
He rejected claims that he sponsored armed individuals, questioning the logic behind the accusations and describing them as attempts to damage his reputation ahead of the shadow election.
Akinlayo maintained that he is a businessman with investments in gas, filling stations, and real estate, adding that he had been financially independent long before entering politics.
Addressing concerns about alleged intimidation and violence ahead of the primary, the lawmaker accused his opponents of attempting to discourage voter turnout and manipulate the electoral process.
He urged the leadership of the APC and security agencies to ensure a level playing field and adequate security presence across all wards during the exercise.
“Let the police, DSS, and Civil Defence be present at every ward. People should be allowed to vote freely without intimidation,” he added.
Akinlayo further alleged that his opponent had failed to campaign across the wards but was instead relying on political influence to sway the process. He insisted that only a free and fair contest would reflect the will of the people.
Efforts to get the reaction of the accused opponent or the police command’s spokesperson on the progress of investigations were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
