Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC) have engaged in a war of words following a spate of violent incidents and shootings in the region. Both parties have called for security interventions and thorough investigations into the matter.
The discord stems from reports of attacks and gunfire in Osogbo, Ede, and Ile-Ife, with the state government, the APC, and the Accord Party presenting differing accounts and pointing fingers at one another.
During a hastily convened press conference in Osogbo, Governor Adeleke decried what he termed as orchestrated assaults by political thugs linked to the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, also known as AMBO. According to a statement from his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the attackers moved through neighborhoods such as Akoda, Owode, Olaiya, Old Garage, and Okefia, leaving several people injured and casualties reported. Adeleke urged President Bola Tinubu to step in and ensure that security agencies hold those responsible accountable.
“At the time of this briefing, multiple residents are feared wounded, and at least one or two fatalities have occurred,” Adeleke stated, emphasizing the need for swift justice. He also expressed growing concern over politically motivated violence in the state and appealed for calm while investigations proceed. Following the briefing, the governor visited injured victims at the Osun State Teaching Hospital and the Cottage Hospital in Ede, pledging government support and reiterating his administration’s dedication to safeguarding lives and property.
In response, the Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council dismissed the governor’s allegations and instead accused supporters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Accord Party of instigating attacks on APC members and their campaign materials. A statement from the council’s media head, Engr. Oluremi Omowaiye, claimed that APC campaign buses were vandalized in the Owode-Ede area, leaving many supporters hurt. The council called on Adeleke to rein in what they described as his party’s political thugs, warning that failure to do so could plunge the state into deeper insecurity. They also appealed to the Inspector-General of Police and other security bodies to probe the attacks on their supporters and property.
Meanwhile, the Accord Party, through its Osun State Chairman, Pastor Victor Babalola Akande, alleged that armed thugs affiliated with the APC campaign opened fire in parts of Osogbo and Owode-Ede, resulting in deaths and injuries. The party demanded a comprehensive investigation by security agencies to identify and prosecute all perpetrators of the violence.