The BTO Renewed Hope Team, an umbrella body of pro-Tinubu groups supporting the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has raised an alarm over the repeated destruction of campaign billboards erected in honor of President Bola Tinubu in Ondo State. The group accused suspected state agents of orchestrating the vandalism to stifle the minister's rising political profile.
In a statement, the team described the act as a premeditated and undemocratic action, noting that the billboards were deliberately pulled down despite carrying no anti-party or divisive messaging. Instead, they were purely expressions of loyalty to Tinubu and support for his Renewed Hope Agenda.
The group emphasized that the billboards were lawfully erected and represented a genuine effort to amplify the President's achievements. They questioned the motive behind targeting pro-Tinubu materials in the state, pointing to the growing popularity of the Interior Minister as a potential reason.
Appealing to Tinubu, the group urged him to take note of what they termed “internal saboteurs” working against unity and the collective vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda. They also called on the President, state governors, and the APC National Chairman to launch an immediate investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The statement read in part: “We, the BTO Renewed Hope Team, wish to bring to the attention of all well-meaning Nigerians, our party leadership, and most importantly, the Presidency, the unfortunate, shameful, and deeply troubling destruction of campaign billboards erected in honour of Mr President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, by the support groups of the Honourable Minister of Interior, Hon. (Dr) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.”
“These billboards, which were a demonstration of loyalty, solidarity, and unwavering support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of our dear President, were deliberately and systematically pulled down by persons suspected to be state agents, an act we consider not only reckless and irresponsible but a direct attack on the democratic values and political freedom that our great party, the APC, stands for.”
“If we all claim to be working in the same direction, under the same flag, and for the same president, then who feels threatened by the growing popularity of the Honourable Minister of Interior? Who are those hiding in the shadows, sponsoring these acts of political thuggery and sabotage? Who are those so afraid of the minister’s rising profile that they would resort to such crude, lawless, and undemocratic behaviour?”
“We wish to state categorically that these acts will not silence us. They will not weaken our resolve. If anything, they have further strengthened our commitment to supporting both Mr President and the Honourable Minister.”
The group further called on the President to take note of internal saboteurs, the governor to investigate and bring perpetrators to justice, and the APC National Chairman to address internal rancour before it threatens the party’s cohesion and electoral fortunes.
“We will not be intimidated. We will not be silenced. The BTO Renewed Hope Team remains resolute in its support for the Honourable Minister of Interior and the Renewed Hope Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Enough is enough. Those responsible must be held accountable,” the statement concluded.
