… about 40 of our members killed earlier – APC stalwart
...others injured; Parties trade blame ahead of governorship poll
By Our Correspondent
Osun State — A fresh wave of political violence has gripped Osun State after a resident of Esa-Oke, Dele Ayegbo, was shot dead late Wednesday night, with the All Progressives Congress alleging that the killing was politically motivated and masterminded by hoodlums linked to the Accord Party.
The incident, which occurred between 11 pm on Wednesday and 12 am on Thursday, has deepened fears in Ijesaland just days to the governorship election, as parties trade accusations and the state government calls for calm.
According to residents who spoke with newsmen in Esa-Oke, Ayegbo was attacked close to his residence in the Idofin quarters by occupants of a black Sports Utility Vehicle. Two other persons were also shot during the attack and were rushed to hospital.
Ayegbo was identified by community sources as a nephew of the Director-General of the Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council, Hon. Oluwole Oke, a development that has fueled insinuations that the killing targeted the opposition’s campaign structure.
Sunday Omolebi, media adviser to Hon. Oke, while confirming the killing in a chat with newsmen, described the attack as deliberate.
Omolebi said, “He was shot by a moving black Jeep while he was in his car. It was a move to weaken Hon Oluwole Oke, especially in his stronghold. This is heinous, and the security agencies will need to unearth this.”
The Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, could not be reached for comment at press time.
In a strongly worded statement signed by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, the Osun APC accused Accord Party thugs of carrying out the attack.
Olabisi further disclosed that, from the information available to the party, “Ayegbo was gunned down at the road junction close to his house at the Idofin quarters area of the ancient town by the Accord Party hoodlums who were riding in a car.
“It was learnt that two of our members were shot by the political thugs during the incident and that while Ayegbo died instantly, the other victim was rushed to an undisclosed hospital in the town where he had been receiving treatment.
“The spate of the killings because of the re-election bid of Governor Adeleke is becoming unprecedented in the political history of the state and its record has shown that it has surpassed that of the 2022 governorship election, when no fewer than 30 members and supporters of our party were slaughtered like rams by the political thugs working for the PDP that has now metamorphosed to the Accord in Osun State.
“Ijesaland has been witnessing the highest percentage of political killings orchestrated by the state incumbent government, as 17 of the 30 of our members killed by the Accord thugs before the 2022 governorship election took place in Ijesaland,” he said.
The party called on the police command to act swiftly, arguing that the violence was intended to intimidate voters.
“The killing of the nephew of our campaign Director-General in Esa-Oke is one death too many which must be urgently unravelled by the police in the interest of fairness and justice.
“The killing was callous, wicked, barbaric and inconsiderate as there should ideally not be a meeting point between violence and democratic dispensation,” it said.
Addressing journalists in Osogbo on Thursday, the Head of Media and Publicity of the APC Campaign Council, Remi Omowaiye, said the party had recorded about 40 deaths in recent weeks.
He gave a breakdown of other incidents across the state, linking them to the same pattern of attacks.
Omowaiye said: “Yesterday (Wednesday), the nephew of the Director-General of our campaign council, Honourable Oluwole Oke, Ayegbo Oladale and Taiwo Oluwadele were shot around Honourable Oluwole Oke’s family compound in Esa-Oke.
“Unfortunately, we lost Ayegbo Oluwadele while Taiwo is still in a very critical condition.
“Just this morning again, an associate of Honourable Sanya Omirin and three others were attacked. They were shot.
“Those shots were Adebayo Dada’s own was severe. All members of the APC at Atakumasa East were shot at. Others were Idowu Laide, Ebuka Emmanuel, and Adebiyi Ebeneezer. They were APC members; they were shot at Alarere,” Omowaiye said.
He accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of politicizing the violence, adding, “As I speak, we have lost about 40 of our members, and nothing has been done to stop this.”
Omowaiye also referenced a recent attack in Ilesha, alleging government complicity.
He continued, “A few days ago in Ilesha, it was alleged that one of the prisoners released by the government was responsible for the killing in Ilesha.
“We were preparing for a rally. There was supposed to be a final rally in Ijesa South, and five people were shot. Four of them died, while one is in critical condition at the Teaching Hospital. One of them is still in the ICU.
“And what was their offence? They were putting on APC caps. Well, one thing we want him to know is that he cannot escape the law, and the wrath of God will come upon Governor Adeleke for killing our people.”
The Accord Party has dismissed the APC’s allegations. Its spokesperson, Oladele Bamiji, urged the ruling party to look inward.
Bamiji said, “Our party is peaceful. We have been conducting our campaigns peacefully. There is nothing to warrant all these killings.
“This happened not long after a chieftain of the APC in the state declared war on Accord members. We urge the police to do their job and fish out the perpetrators.”
Governor Adeleke, in a statement issued in Osogbo, condemned the Esa-Oke killing and the destruction of property that followed. He commiserated with the families of all victims of recent political violence across the state.
The governor said he had directed security agencies to intensify surveillance in Esa-Oke and environs, and ordered the police to conduct a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Describing the incident as a consequence of reckless political rhetoric, Adeleke urged leaders and supporters to de-escalate.
“We all have families and friends. We should not preach violence. Senator Fadahunsi issued a killing directive; the next day, somebody was killed at Esa Oke, his own zone,” the governor said.
He also raised concerns about attacks on Accord members, stating: “Aside from Esa Oke, over 20 homes of Accord members were raided last night at Ikire. Some were illegally arrested while houses of others were vandalised. This is not politics again.
“I challenge our opponents to let us fight through the ballot. Since we are practising democracy, we must allow our people to vote. My strength and that of my party is God and the people. We are winning on Saturday,” the governor said.
Adeleke appealed to residents of Esa-Oke, Ijesaland and the entire state to resist reprisals, stressing that the forthcoming election must be peaceful and that every voter must be allowed to cast their ballot freely.
As of Thursday evening, no arrest had been announced in connection with the Esa-Oke shooting. Security presence has, however, been increased in the town amid heightened political tension.
