Suspected thugs have vandalised the campaign office of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) senatorial candidate for Ekiti North, Prince Funsho Ayeni, in Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The incident occurred barely two days after the office, located in Ido-Ekiti, the headquarters of Ido/Osi Local Government Area, was inaugurated.
Ayeni, who visited the office to inspect the extent of the damage, condemned the attack and warned against allowing political disagreements to degenerate into violence, intimidation and destruction of property.
The ADC candidate said his visit was not only to assess the damage but also to draw public attention to what he described as a disturbing development that should concern all peace-loving residents of Ekiti North Senatorial District.
He noted that Ekiti, renowned for its politically conscious and educated population, must not allow violence to become part of its political culture.
“I believe Ekiti must not walk the road of political violence. Whatever the circumstances surrounding the damage to this office, political disagreement must never become a pathway to destruction, intimidation or violence,” Ayeni said.
He called on security agencies to investigate the incident and determine those responsible for the attack.
According to him, political contests should be driven by ideas, programmes, records and the ability of candidates to serve the people rather than attacks on opponents or destruction of property.
“Political competition should be about ideas. It should be about programmes, records and the service we have to offer our people, not the destruction of one’s property or the vandalising of political office spaces,” he added.
Ayeni also urged politicians in Ekiti State to draw lessons from the recently concluded governorship election in neighbouring Osun State, where incidents of political tension and violence were reported.
He appealed to political actors and their supporters to avoid actions capable of escalating tensions ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing that disagreements should be resolved through dialogue and lawful means.
The ADC chieftain further urged his supporters across Ekiti North Senatorial District not to retaliate or take the law into their own hands, insisting that the appropriate authorities should be allowed to investigate the incident.
“Let us disagree without destroying, let us compete without violence and let us ensure the 2027 electioneering is remembered for ideas and accountability, and not for intimidation, destruction or bloodshed,” he said.
No arrests had been announced by security agencies as of the time of filing this report.
