The All Progressives Congress in Osun State has distanced itself from the violence unleashed on innocent citizens by suspected political thugs. The party called on heads of security agencies to stem the rising tide of political violence ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Attack on Residents
Some innocent residents of Osogbo and Ede were shot on Tuesday by rampaging armed political thugs. Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is the 2026 gubernatorial candidate of Accord Party, accused the APC of sponsoring the attack.
Adeleke claimed that his predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola, and flagbearer of the APC for the upcoming election, sent their thugs to perpetuate terror in the state.
APC Responds
Reacting to the allegations, notable figures in the APC, led by the Director-General of its 2026 Governorship Campaign Council, Oluwole Wole Oke, addressed journalists in Osogbo on Wednesday. They dismissed all of Adeleke’s allegations.
Oke, who read the text of the press conference, accused Governor Adeleke of parading armed thugs in the state and making Osun ungovernable. He advised the governor to “call his thugs to order” and asked the Inspector General of Police, Director General of the Department of State Services, and Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps among others to intervene and stop political violence in the state.
Condemnation of Violence
The opposition party condemned what it termed as “the growing culture of intimidation, harassment, brigandage and violence being perpetrated by criminal elements acting under the influence and protection of the ruling party in the state.” It insisted that “Governor Ademola Adeleke must immediately call his political foot soldiers, janjaweed and thugs to order before they plunge Osun State into a deeper state of insecurity and make the state increasingly ungovernable.”
Referring to the clash at Owode-Ede, Oke claimed that “Governor Adeleke-branded buses were reportedly seen conveying questionable characters brandishing dangerous weapons and firing gunshots in public spaces. Available information suggests that the crisis stems from growing dissatisfaction with Alowonle’s leadership among members of the faction.
Unfortunately, innocent citizens have suffered injuries in the ensuing violence, while law-abiding residents continue to live in fear as criminal elements linked to the PDP and Accord Party turn parts of Osogbo into theatres of violence and lawlessness.
Appeal to Security Agencies
The Osun State APC commiserates with all innocent citizens who have lost loved ones, sustained injuries, or suffered the destruction of their property and personal belongings as a result of the violent disturbances recorded in Osogbo, Ife and other affected communities. “Our thoughts and prayers are with every victim and every family affected by these unfortunate incidents.”
He added, “We hereby appeal to the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and all other relevant security agencies to urgently stem the rising tide of political violence in Osun State.
We specifically call for a thorough investigation into the attack on the destruction of APC campaign buses in Owode-Ede, attack on our member in Ile Ife and the violent disturbances witnessed across Osogbo yesterday. Those found culpable, irrespective of their political affiliations or connections, should be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.”
