By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The Chairman of the Riders and Owners of Motorcycles Organisation (ROMO), Ogun State chapter, Mr. Rasaq Olusola Shotayo, has dismissed allegations that he threatened the life of the Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Iju Ward, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, Mr. Aleshinloye Owolabi, during the party’s recently concluded ward primary election.

Shotayo, in a statement personally signed on Saturday, described the allegation, which has been circulating on social media, as false, misleading and a deliberate distortion of his comments at a ward meeting.

According to him, a viral video being used to support the claim was manipulated and does not accurately reflect the context of his remarks.

The ROMO chairman explained that his intervention at the meeting was motivated by concerns over what he described as the declining state of party activities in Iju Ward, which he attributed to the alleged inactive role of the ward secretary.

He said, his comments were aimed at drawing attention to challenges facing the ward’s political structure, particularly issues of poor coordination and lack of active participation by some party officials.

Shotayo maintained that he merely echoed the concerns of several APC members who, according to him, had repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the ward secretary’s alleged absence from party engagements and failure to participate in key activities, including the recently concluded primaries.

He further claimed that some party members had called for Owolabi’s removal from office over what they considered non-performance and a lack of commitment to party affairs.

Rejecting allegations of intimidation or threats, Shotayo insisted that at no time did he make any statement capable of endangering the life of the APC ward secretary or any other individual.

“My intervention was purely out of concern for the progress of our party in Iju Ward. I did not threaten anyone’s life, directly or indirectly. The video being circulated does not reflect the full context of my remarks,” he stated.

He added: “members of the ward have repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the secretary’s absence from active party work and his failure to participate in key party activities, including the recently concluded primaries.

“I only echoed the concerns already raised by APC members in the ward, who have lost confidence in the secretary and were demanding accountability within the party structure.”

The ROMO chairman stressed that his political activities have always been conducted within the bounds of the law, noting that he remains committed to peaceful engagement and respect for party structures.

“At no point did I engage in violence or issue any threat. My comments were political, constructive and aimed at strengthening our party, not destroying it,” he said.

Shotayo also expressed readiness to cooperate with security agencies in investigating the controversy surrounding the viral video.

He urged relevant authorities to investigate the source and circulation of the video, alleging that it had been deliberately edited to damage his reputation.

“I am not afraid of anyone, and I have nothing to hide. I am willing to invite security agencies to thoroughly investigate this matter so that the truth can be established,” he added.

Calling on party members and the public to disregard what he described as a calculated smear campaign, Shotayo reaffirmed his commitment to peace, unity and the continued progress of the APC in Ogun State.

He said: “I remain a law-abiding, peaceful and responsible citizen. My commitment to the APC and the development of our party remains unwavering, and I will continue to support all efforts aimed at promoting unity and progress within the party.”