By Ola Ajayi
PROMPT response of men of Oyo State Police Command yesterday prevented another possible bloodshed as some members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, were reportedly caught with arms and ammunition at the rally of the faction of Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The suspects were said to be loyalists of the factional chairman of the proscribed NURTW, Alhaji Lateef Salako.

A source told Vanguard that one of the aides of the Governor had gone to the state Police Command at Eleyele to get them released.

When Vanguard called Salako for verification, he wondered why people should be carrying such rumour.

He said: “How can people be making such frivolous allegations? If they catch area boys, they will be saying they are our boys. Please, don’t mind them. It is a lie.”

However, the alleged arrest of the suspects did not cast any shadow on the rally where Governor Akala said that he would dazzle his opponents and re-claim the governorship seat in Agodi Government House.

While addressing a large crowd that thronged the rally at the ancient Mapo Hall, Ibadan, Akala described the claims by the former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu as empty boast that could not hold water.

‘No way for ACN’

Akala said: “I say no way for them here in Oyo State. Ibadan was never conquered. They want to take our money to Lagos. Oyo State is no-go area. My elevation to the position of the state Governor today is destiny at work. Tell their leader to forget here as potential territorial expansion agenda.”

At the rally tagged, Ibadan Tile Toko, which was attended by former governors Omololu Olunloyo, Kolapo Ishola, a former Justice Minister, Chief Richard Akinjide, Akala’s deputy, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja, Akala said: “I won the 2007 election in my father’s name. Today, I have been able to tar more roads than any of my predecessors.”

“There are street lights all over major areas in Ibadan. Mapo Hall here witnessed unprecedented rehabilitation during my tenure which is today a pride to us all. None of the past governors from Ibadan here did what I was able to do.”

on this hall.

“And yet, they will say what has he done? Are they blind? If they are blind, are they impaired both from their ears and nose?  This crowd has confirmed Ibadans support for me or are this crowd from Ogbomoso? After my re-election, you will see wonders.”