The Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has cautioned its members against launching media attacks on Governor Biodun Oyebanji, following revelations that some party members are allegedly behind a coordinated online smear campaign.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Yinka Oyebode, the state government alleged that more than 150 individuals on social media — including some prominent national influencers — have been paid to begin coordinated attacks against Oyebanji starting next week.
“Over 150 persons across various social media platforms, including notable influencers at the national level, had been paid to carry out the attack beginning from next week,” Oyebode said.
According to him, the plot is being sponsored by disgruntled members of the APC who are bent on discrediting the governor and other key government figures by spreading malicious allegations, forged documents, and AI-generated graphics.
Oyebode further alleged that the same group was responsible for a recent social media campaign against President Bola Tinubu, which used the deplorable state of the Itawure-Aramoko-Igede federal road as a pretext to criticize the federal government.
“These characters went back to the drawing board and came up with another action plan, which includes inducing 150 social media attackers with huge sums of money (in foreign currency) to carry out the nefarious act of character assassination and cheap blackmail,” he stated.
The CPS emphasized that the government views the development as a serious threat to peace and stability in Ekiti State, warning that appropriate action will be taken against those found culpable.
He explained that the administration decided to go public with the revelation in order to prevent unrest, discourage self-help, and expose what he described as an “ignoble plot” designed to create unnecessary tension in the polity.
