Family reacts, says attack on Senator Kola Balogun unwarranted

By Richard Thomas, Ibadan

The family of Senator Kola Balogun has deployed the mob attack on him at Saturday’s All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election, describing it as the handiwork of detractors.

The family issued a statement on Sunday, signed by Olori Olayinka Balogun on behalf of Balogun of Aliiwo dynasty saying “we the family believe in him and he has not stolen anybody’s money.”

In a video that went viral, the senator, currently representing Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly was being booed with the shout of ‘ole, ole, ole’ (thief, thief, thief) at the venue of the primary election held at Prof. Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, opposite UCH, Ibadan.

But the family said Balogun, who became senator on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019 was attacked by political urchins acting a script by their sponsors.

“Balogun is a man of integrity, excellence and American trained. He meant well for the country and it’s (attack) the handiwork of detractors. It’s a set up and this will not stop him but rather fire him up to perform. We love you Dr. Keep waxing stronger,” the statement added.

It would be recalled that Sen. Balogun, the younger brother of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade ll, has been having the battle of his political life in the last couple of weeks with the withdrawal of support for his second term ambition by the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde ahead of the primary election.

The development led to the defection of the senator from to the APC where he became one of the aspirants for the senatorial ticket of the party.

Olasunkanmi Tegbe won the senatorial ticket of the PDP at the party’s primary election held on Wednesday with the support of Governor Makinde.