Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and the All Progressives Congress Campaign Council on Tuesday traded accusations over violence recorded in parts of the state, which left about three persons injured.
Investigations revealed that the crisis began in Ile-Ife during a walk organised by the APC to mobilise support for its governorship candidate in the August 15 poll, Bola Oyebamiji.
The walk, which commenced around 9 a.m. at the Mayfair area of Ile-Ife, was led by the member representing Ife Central/Ife East/Ife North/Ife South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Abimbola Ajilesoro, and reportedly descended into violence at the Sabo area.
There were allegations that the violence was triggered after some individuals tore campaign posters of a governorship candidate pasted along the roadside at Sabo, Ile-Ife.
Eyewitnesses, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said dangerous weapons were used during the ensuing clash involving suspected political thugs.
A trader in Sabo market, identified as Usira, said a motorcycle belonging to one of the groups was destroyed.
“The crisis started when some hoodlums tore campaign posters of a particular governorship candidate during the victory walk organised by the APC that reached the Sabo area.
“Hoodlums working for both the APC and Accord were involved in the fight. A motorcycle belonging to one of the hoodlums was seized and damaged. They were firing gunshots and using machetes on each other,” he said.
After the Ile-Ife incident, gunshots were also reported in areas of Osogbo, including Aisu, Owode-Ede, Aregbesola area, Olaiya, Old Garage and Oke Fia, causing panic among residents.
During the shooting in Owode-Ede, an elderly man whose identity had not been confirmed at press time was injured and taken to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.
At the Aregbesola area in Osogbo, a driver in a commercial bus was reportedly hit by a bullet and taken to an undisclosed hospital.
At Testing Ground, security personnel were observed at a business premises owned by an APC member, Lawrence Dada, who alleged that soldiers looted his property and arrested two of his staff.
Governor Adeleke, who visited victims at the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, and the State Hospital, Ede, described the incidents as coordinated attacks.
He said, “There were coordinated attacks on residents of Ile Ife, Ede and Osogbo today by pro-Ambo political thugs.
“After the dastardly acts that occurred at Ile Ife, the attackers proceeded to Akoda, Owode, Olaiya, Old Garage, Okefia and other parts of Osogbo.
“The attackers in a 15-vehicle convoy branded with AMBO pictures paraded the towns without any response from the police.
“At the time of calling this press conference, several residents were feared injured and even one or two people killed.
“The attackers are led by thugs known as Aleba and Asiri. Worst still, the state police command has not raised a finger to stop the attacks or arrest the attackers. These attacks are outrageous, unprovoked and a deliberate step to plunge the state into chaos.
“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the destabilising roles of Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola and the Osun APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
“The provocation is getting to an unbearable level. For the past few months, I have been calming my people to maintain peace despite persistent attacks.”
In its reaction, the Osun APC Campaign Council alleged that its supporters were attacked by political thugs loyal to the governor.
In a statement signed by the Head of Media and Publicity Committee of the campaign council, Remi Omowaiye, the party also claimed that campaign vehicles were vandalised in Owode-Ede.
It stated, “The attack left several AMBO supporters severely injured while valuable campaign materials and property were destroyed.
“Such brazen acts of violence have no place in a democratic society and should worry every well-meaning citizen of Osun State.
“Why should the electoral preference of a citizen become a criminal offence? Why should a governor, either directly or through body language, encourage supporters and kinsmen to attack fellow citizens simply because they hold different political opinions?
“The Governor Adeleke-branded buses were reportedly seen conveying questionable characters brandishing dangerous weapons and firing gunshots.
“Many innocent citizens have reportedly suffered injuries in the crossfire while law-abiding residents continue to live in fear as PDP/Accord-linked criminals turn parts of Osogbo into theatres of violence.”
The campaign council commiserated with residents affected by the violence and called on the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies to intervene urgently.
Meanwhile, the Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Oluwaseun Abosede, also blamed the violence on suspected APC supporters.
He said, “These armed men stopped at the Oranmiyan House, Aregbe Junction, which serves as the Osun ADC Campaign Headquarters, where they allegedly fired several shots before proceeding to the NURTW park opposite the building and shooting indiscriminately at vehicles and individuals in the vicinity.
“The hoodlums subsequently moved through Owode Ede, Olaiya Junction, Old Garage, and other strategic locations within Osogbo, unleashing a reign of terror in broad daylight, leaving trails of agony and blood without any visible intervention from security agencies.”
Reacting, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said an investigation had commenced.
“We are aware of the incidents. We have already commenced investigation,” he said.
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