APC, ACCORD PARTY LOGO
Political tension in Osun State has taken a worrying turn following two separate incidents that claimed lives during campaign activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The first incident occurred in Esa Oke, Obokun Local Government Area, where an Accord Party supporter, Ajayi Aderogba, was reportedly shot dead by unidentified gunmen on Tuesday evening. The killing has sparked anxiety among residents and political stakeholders as campaigns intensify across the state.
According to reports, Aderogba was actively involved in preparations for a political programme in support of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s second-term bid when the attack happened. News of his death triggered protests within the community, with residents expressing concerns over growing insecurity and rising political tension.
The incident has since fueled political controversy, with accusations and counter-accusations emerging between the Accord Party and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, alleged that attempts had been made to disrupt the planned gathering and suggested that Aderogba’s death was linked to his political activities and affiliation.
However, the Director-General of the Osun State APC Governorship Campaign Council, Honourable Oluwole Oke, firmly denied any connection to the killing. In a statement issued through his media office, Oke described efforts to link him and the APC to the incident as false, misleading and premature.
He called on security agencies to carry out a thorough and impartial investigation, stressing the importance of relying on verified facts rather than speculation.
As of the time of filing this report, the Osun State Police Command had yet to release an official statement on the matter, while investigations are expected to continue.
Meanwhile, another tragedy struck in Ede during an APC campaign procession organized in support of the party’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
A truck reportedly rammed into supporters participating in a street campaign near the Oke Gada area of the town, leaving one person dead and several others injured.
The deceased was identified as AbdulRasaq Ahmed. Seven other campaign supporters sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving treatment at hospitals in Ede and neighboring communities. One of the victims was said to be in critical condition.
Officials of the APC Campaign Committee confirmed the incident and expressed condolences to the family of the deceased.
Eyewitnesses alleged that the truck driver ignored traffic directives issued by officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who were managing traffic along the campaign route at the time of the accident.
Reacting to the incident, APC deputy governorship candidate Benjamin Adereti called for a comprehensive investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the crash.
He urged security agencies to establish whether the incident was purely accidental or if there were other factors involved, while assuring party supporters that campaign activities would continue despite the unfortunate development.
The two incidents have heightened concerns over security and public safety in Osun State as political parties step up campaigns ahead of the governorship election.
Observers and stakeholders are now calling on political actors to embrace peaceful campaigning, exercise restraint, and support efforts by security agencies to maintain law and order throughout the electoral process.
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