The Chairman of the Riders and Owners of Motorcycles Organisation (ROMO) in Ogun State, Rasaq Shotayo, also known as ‘Sholebo,’ has strongly denied claims that he threatened the life of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ward Secretary in Iju, Aleshinloye Owolabi, during the party’s recent presidential primary.
In a statement released on Saturday, Shotayo labeled the allegations as baseless and a twisted version of his remarks at a ward meeting. He argued that a viral video had been edited to misrepresent his intentions.
Shotayo, a key stakeholder and loyal APC member, clarified that his comments were driven by worry over the ward’s sluggish political progress, which he linked to the secretary’s poor engagement. He emphasized that his aim was to highlight issues hindering the ward’s growth due to inadequate coordination and weak leadership.
The ROMO leader noted that he was simply voicing the frustrations of APC members in Iju Ward, who have lost faith in the secretary because of his frequent absence from party duties and failure to attend important events, including the just-concluded primaries.
‘My intervention came from a place of care for our party’s well-being in Iju Ward. I never threatened anyone, directly or indirectly. The circulating video lacks the full context of what I said,’ Shotayo asserted.
He added: ‘Ward members have often complained about the secretary’s non-participation in party activities and his absence during crucial moments like the primaries.’
Shotayo firmly denied issuing any threat, calling the insinuations politically driven and completely unfounded. He reaffirmed his identity as a law-abiding and peaceful citizen who has never supported violence, stating that his political actions always follow due process and respect for party structures.
‘At no time did I use violence or make threats. My words were political, constructive, and meant to strengthen our party, not weaken it. I am not afraid, and I have nothing to hide. I welcome security agencies to investigate this matter thoroughly so the truth comes out,’ the statement concluded.
He urged party members and the public to ignore what he described as a deliberate smear campaign, reiterating his dedication to peace, unity, and the APC’s advancement in Ogun State.