Ekiti Govt Uncovers Plan to Launch Coordinated Social Media Attack on Oyebanji

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By AbdulRahman Tiwatope

The Ekiti State Government says it has uncovered a fresh plan by some opposition elements to launch a coordinated social media attack on Gov. Biodun Oyebanji ahead of the governorship primaries scheduled for Oct. 27.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olayinka Oyebode, on Friday in Ado-Ekiti.

According to the statement, over 150 persons, including some social media influencers at the national level, have allegedly been paid to carry out the online campaign against the governor.

It alleged that the sponsors of the plan are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who intend to discredit the governor and some key figures in government through “spurious and malicious allegations, forged documents and AI-generated graphics.”

The government claimed that those behind the alleged plan were the same group that recently staged an online attack against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, using the state of the Itawure-Aramoko-Igede road as a pretext.

“The poorly coordinated social media attack on the President failed, as the vast majority of Ekiti people and the general public rejected the narratives. These characters have now gone back to the drawing board and recruited over 150 persons with huge sums of money to launch another round of character assassination and blackmail,” the statement read.

The government said the latest plot was being exposed to prevent likely breach of peace and unnecessary tension in the state.

It warned that unlike previous media attacks, this new attempt would be treated with seriousness, while calling on security agencies and relevant institutions to take note.

“All political gladiators, especially those aspiring to public office, are advised to maintain decorum and play according to the rules as we approach the electoral season,” it said.

The government stressed that it welcomes constructive criticism and is ready to provide sincere answers to genuine enquiries on governance, but urged aspirants to make their campaigns issue-based rather than resort to blackmail or incitement.