Pandemonium at Labiran: Three Feared Dead as Unknown Gunmen Attack Accord Party Campaign Led by Moradeyo Akinkunmi Sakeeb
Labiran witnessed chaos and bloodshed on Wednesday evening as unknown gunmen, suspected to be loyal to the All Progressives Congress (APC), launched a violent attack on an Accord Party primarily election campaign ahead of the Local Government Election led by Mr. Moradeyo Akinkunmi Sakeeb. The assault occurred around 6:30 PM in the Iyana Eta area while Accord Party members were engaged in house-to-house canvassing for the party’s candidate ahead of the upcoming local government elections. The sudden and aggressive nature of the attack suggests that it may have been orchestrated by rival political factions desperate to secure an edge in the forthcoming polls.
According to an eyewitness, Mr. Tajudeen Raji, the tranquility of the campaign was shattered when two buses filled with armed thugs, believed to be affiliated with the APC, arrived at the scene. The attackers, who were reportedly shouting and demanding the whereabouts of Mr. Moradeyo, unleashed terror upon the unsuspecting campaigners. Mr. Moradeyo, a notable figure within the Accord Party and a prominent political personality in Ibadan North local government, has been involved in various capacities as an exco member and a party stalwart over the years.
The violence resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals and left several others with varying degrees of injury. Mr. Moradeyo narrowly escaped the attack but sustained injuries in the process. The assault is widely regarded as a deliberate attempt to eliminate Mr. Moradeyo, who has been a key player in the local political arena. It is believed that the attackers targeted him specifically due to his extensive knowledge of the opposition party’s strategies and his past affiliations with influential figures in the APC, including Chief Bayo Adelabu, whom he declined to follow to the APC from the Accord Party after the last general election.
Mr. Moradeyo’s political history includes significant contributions to the Accord Party over the years. His deep understanding of the party’s tactics and the secrets of former members who have left for the APC made him a prime target, as rival factions likely viewed his elimination as a means to disrupt the Accord Party’s campaign efforts and gain a strategic advantage.
Efforts by CM to reach Mr. Moradeyo for comment at the time of filing this report were unsuccessful, as he is reportedly in hiding following the attack. In response to the violence, the police and other security forces have heightened their presence in the community to stabilize the situation. The injured victims have been transported to Oluyoro Hospital for medical treatment.
Residents of Labiran are calling on authorities to ensure that those responsible for the attack and the attempted assassination of Mr. Moradeyo Akinkunmi Sakeeb are brought to justice. They have described Mr. Moradeyo as a dedicated community youth leader and are urging swift action to restore peace and security in the area.
