The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has alleged that suspected political thugs linked to the Accord Party killed Dele Ayegbo, nephew of the party’s governorship campaign Director-General, Wole Oke, in Esa-Oke, Obokun Local Government Area of the state.
The party also alleged that the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Wale Egbedun, was involved in an attack on its House of Representatives candidate for the Odo-Otin Federal Constituency, Francis Eniade, in Okuku.
The allegations were contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Osun APC Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, who described the incidents as “callous, wicked and barbaric” and called on the police to immediately investigate the incidents and arrest those responsible.
According to the party, Ayegbo was shot dead on Wednesday night at a road junction close to his residence in the Idofin area of Esa-Oke.
The APC alleged that the attackers, whom it described as suspected Accord Party thugs, arrived in a vehicle and opened fire on Ayegbo and another party member.
It said Ayegbo died at the scene, while the second victim sustained gunshot injuries and was taken to an undisclosed hospital in the town for treatment.
The party said the incident had heightened concerns over political violence in the state ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, urging the police and other security agencies to take immediate steps to prevent further attacks.
The APC alleged that political violence had become particularly prevalent in Ijesaland, claiming that 17 of the 30 members and supporters it said were killed ahead of the 2022 governorship election were from the area.
It further alleged that some individuals it described as political thugs had continued to operate freely after receiving clemency from Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The party also criticised the state government’s response to previous killings, alleging that the governor had failed to publicly condemn attacks on APC members and supporters.
“The state police command cannot afford not to act swiftly, decisively and proactively on these needless killings of our members few hours to the governorship election,” the party said.
The APC maintained that the killing of Ayegbo must be thoroughly investigated, arguing that the incident could create fear among voters and discourage them from participating in the election.
“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,” it said.
On the alleged attack involving Eniade, the APC said the candidate’s convoy was intercepted while returning from Inisa and approaching Okuku.
The party alleged that the convoy was waylaid by suspected thugs and security personnel attached to Egbedun, who were said to be travelling in a Lexus Jeep.
According to the APC, Eniade, sensing danger, accelerated and drove to the Okuku Divisional Police Station in an attempt to seek protection.
It, however, alleged that the suspected attackers and security personnel followed him to the police station, where Eniade’s driver was allegedly injured and his Hilux vehicle and other vehicles in the convoy were damaged.
The APC consequently called for an investigation into the alleged attack and demanded the arrest of Egbedun, alongside anyone found to have participated in the incident.
The party urged Governor Adeleke, the Accord Party and their supporters to desist from acts capable of escalating political tension in the state, stressing that political disagreements should not degenerate into violence.
It said the people of Osun should be allowed to freely exercise their constitutional right to vote without intimidation or fear.
The APC also urged the police and other security agencies to ensure adequate protection for all political parties, candidates and voters before, during and after Saturday’s election.
The party said the reported incidents underscored the need for security agencies to act decisively against political violence and ensure that perpetrators, irrespective of their political affiliation or status, were brought to justice.
