Tensions have escalated in Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election following the alleged killing of Dele Ayegbo, nephew of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign Director-General, Wole Oke, in Esa-Oke, Obokun Local Government Area.
The Osun APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, in a statement issued on Thursday, said Ayegbo was shot dead on Wednesday night near his residence in the Idofin area of the town.
According to the party, suspected hoodlums operating in a vehicle carried out the attack, targeting two APC members. Ayegbo reportedly died at the scene, while the second victim sustained gunshot wounds and was taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.
The APC condemned the killing and called for immediate investigation by security agencies, saying the incident was another death that required urgent action in the interest of fairness and justice.
Olabisi alleged that more than 30 APC members had been killed by political thugs in the state, with Ijesaland accounting for 17 of the reported deaths since 2022.
He also alleged that the killings were not being adequately condemned by the state government, claiming that the situation had encouraged what he described as extra-judicial killings of APC members and supporters.
The APC spokesperson urged the Osun State Police Command to intervene before Saturday’s election, alleging that the attack was aimed at intimidating voters and discouraging APC members and supporters from exercising their civic rights.
Reacting, the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, described the development as unfortunate and said the people of Esa-Oke would not forget the reported violence in their community.
Olajengbesi said the situation had disrupted the peace and unity previously enjoyed by the community, attributing the development to what he described as the desperation of politicians.
He called for peace in Esa-Oke, saying politics should not be allowed to destroy the unity, safety and brotherhood of the people, while extending condolences over the death of Ayegbo and others who had lost their lives in the violence.
Vanguard