The Peoples Democratic Party House of Representatives candidate for the Remo North Federal Constituency, Mr. Bola Oluwole, has denied the allegations that he masterminded the violent protest that erupted in the Sagamu area of Ogun State.
Oluwole in a statement he personally signed described the allegation as unfounded and untrue.
The PUNCH had reported that violence broke out as early as 8 am on Monday at Sagamu as a result of alleged stoppage of the banks’ operations with Automated Teller Machines reportedly not dispensing cash since last week.
The videos shared on Monday showed many residents watching as Keystone and Union banks were set ablaze with some youths holding planks in protest.
With bonfires, the protesters barricaded the Sagamu-Benin expressway preventing human and vehicular movements.
Reacting, Oluwole advised the Ogun State chapter of All Progressives Congress to stop shifting the blame on opposition and innocent Nigerians over the protest that rocked some part of the state occasioned by the fuel scarcity and new naira notes.
Oluwole maintained that Nigerians are only angered by the economic hardship in the country and their inability to access their hard-earned money.
He noted that his alleged involvement in the protest was orchestrated by the APC to destroy and smear his image.
He noted that the ruling party is afraid of his growing popularity ahead of Saturday’s National Assembly election.
He explained that, as that the time the protest was ongoing in Sagamu, he was far away in Abuja in a meeting with the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
He said, “I want to say in strong terms that I am not in any way connected to the protest, Nigerians are only angered by the economic hardships in the country and their inability to access their hard-earned money and the fuel scarcity.
“The APC–led government should address the situation rather than shifting the blame to innocent Nigerians.
“I am a peace-loving person, a grassroots politician who has the love of his people at heart, I will never get myself involved in things that will destroy the peace and tranquility of my constituency.
“As of yesterday evening, our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar met with all National Assembly candidates to strategise for the election so where will I have the chance to mobilise for the violent protest?”
