As political tension rises in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council and The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) on Wednesday traded accusations over Tuesday's gunmen attacks on several towns, including Osogbo, Ede, Aisu, and Ile-Ife.
The two bodies blamed each other for orchestrating the violent incidents that caused panic in the affected communities, as political thugs engaged in a shooting spree, leaving innocent residents injured.
APC Campaign Council's Accusations
Addressing a press conference at Ileri Oluwa House along the Gbongan-Ibadan expressway, the Director-General of the APC Campaign Council, Honourable Wole Oke, urged Governor Ademola Adeleke to rein in his political foot soldiers to prevent the state from descending into deeper insecurity and chaos.
According to Oke, the Osun State chapter of APC condemns in the strongest possible terms the growing culture of intimidation, harassment, brigandage, and violence perpetrated by criminal elements acting under the influence and protection of the ruling party in the state. He stated that on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, campaign buses belonging to the APC were attacked and vandalized by suspected PDP/Accord hoodlums in the Owode-Ede area. The attack left several AMBO supporters injured, while campaign materials and other valuable property were destroyed.
Describing such acts of violence as undemocratic, the lawmaker, who represents Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, contended that the recurrence of violent incidents in Osun raises serious concerns about the activities of criminal elements emboldened by the absence of firm action from those in authority. He urged the international community, election observers, civil society organizations, and defenders of democracy to pay close attention to developments in Osun State and hold accountable all those who seek to undermine democratic values through violence, intimidation, and political persecution.
The Imole Campaign Council's Response
Reacting to the APC Campaign Council's position, The Imole Campaign Council (TICC), in a statement by its chairman of the media and publicity committee, Honourable Bamidele Salam, argued that the people cannot be hoodwinked by the APC's strategy of perpetrating violence and then accusing the ruling Accord Party of such dastardly acts.
Salam stated that the people of Osun State have become familiar with the APC's latest strategy: unleash violence on innocent citizens, sponsor attacks against political opponents, and then rush to the press with concocted stories aimed at portraying themselves as victims. He emphasized that this dangerous pattern has become predictable and must not be allowed to deceive the public.
He noted that virtually all victims of recent politically motivated violence in Osun State have been members and supporters of the Accord Party and its allies. He cited several incidents, including the murder of Mr. Kolade Eluyera, an Accord member in Irewole Local Government, and the shooting of the Chairman of the Accord in Osogbo Local Government, Honourable Asimiyu Ajibola, who remains hospitalized after being shot multiple times by APC armed assailants. Additionally, during the violent invasion of local government councils in 2025 by APC-sponsored thugs, Mr. Ismaila Ibrahim and Honourable Kasali Adebayo lost their lives in Ilesa, while Oladimeji Taiwo and Oloyede Damilare were murdered in Boripe Local Government during another APC-led violent attack on public institutions.
Salam concluded that these are not mere allegations but tragic realities that have left families devastated and communities traumatized.
