Tension erupted in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday after suspected thugs allegedly attacked supporters of Accord governorship candidate, Oriyomi Hamzat, during a procession in the Molete area, leaving some people injured and vehicles vandalised.

The incident disrupted a procession organised by hundreds of supporters to welcome Hamzat back to Nigeria from the United Kingdom, raising concerns about political intolerance and the safety of political activities in the state.

The procession, which took place in Molete, within Ibadan South-West Local Government Area, turned chaotic when the suspected attackers allegedly ambushed the supporters and pelted them with stones.

Some members of the group were injured, while several vehicles in the convoy were vandalised.

The situation threatened to escalate into a confrontation as aggrieved supporters became increasingly agitated over the alleged assault.

However, the intervention of Hamzat and security operatives helped to calm tensions and prevent a reprisal attack.

Condemning the incident, the supporters described the attack as an affront to democratic freedom, insisting that political differences should not be used as a justification for violence or intimidation.

“This is democracy. You have the right to support any candidate of your choice. We ought to have outgrown this kind of politics of bitterness and thuggery in Oyo State,” one of the supporters said.

They expressed disappointment that a procession organised to welcome their candidate had been disrupted by violence, stressing that citizens should be free to associate with and support candidates of their choice without fear of attack.

“Some of our members were injured during these unprovoked attacks. Also, some of the vehicles in our convoy were vandalised,” the supporters said.

Despite the incident, the group maintained that the attack would not discourage them from supporting Hamzat’s governorship ambition, describing him as a peaceful politician.

“Hamzat is a man of peace. We have left the place,” they added.

The supporters said the procession would continue from the Ibadan Toll Gate end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and terminate at the headquarters of Agidigbo FM along the Iwo Road–Ojoo Expressway.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the incident.

“I am aware of the attacks,” he said.