Suspected political thugs on Monday disrupted the inauguration of the governorship campaign of the Social Democratic Party candidate, Mr. Seyi Makinde at Mapo Hall in Ibadan.

The thugs struck shortly after the candidate read his address and was handed the party’s flag.

The thugs that came from the Beere axis of the city, injured several people.

The timely intervention of security operatives that fired teargas at the suspected hired thugs, however, saved the situation, as the thugs were dispersed, though they regrouped later to injure some people and damage vehicles.

The National Chairman of the party, Chief Olu Falae, led other chieftains of the party to the venue of the rally.

The programme was also attended by the party supporters from the 33 local government areas of the state.

In his speech, Makinde promised to uproot poverty.

He said, “Poverty would have no place in the state if the past governments had governed with the fear of God.

“Bad governance, greed and unbridled corruption have led the people to this sorry state we are in today, Oyo workers are hungry, teachers are not paid, traders have been harassed and many artisans have abandoned their trades and have resorted to begging.

“Parents are disillusioned and hopelessness stares the young in the face. Faced with high level of poverty, with no hope of getting out of the cycle in the foreseeable future, our youths will heavily discount the future and more readily engage in risky status elevating ventures which will result in higher rates of crime and violence and the attendant effect on our society.”

Makinde added that the clamour for change was loud and clear among the people and that the change they clamoured for was a positive social change devoid of “deception which some other parties call change.”

The National Chairman of the party, Falae, assured the electorate that if elected, Makinde would be like the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Bola Ige and ensure that Oyo State takes its rightful position in the areas of education, economy, health and others.