The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of failing to rein in alleged political violence, intimidation and harassment by individuals linked to the ruling party ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
The opposition party made the allegation during a press conference in Osogbo on Wednesday, where it called on security agencies, including the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to intervene and prevent further deterioration of security in the state.
Addressing journalists on behalf of the APC Governorship Campaign Council, the Director-General of the 2026 Campaign Council, Hon. Oluwole Oke, alongside APC Deputy Governorship Candidate, Engr. Benjamin Adereti, former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Adebayo Adeleke, and National Commissioner of the Federal Civil Service Commission representing Osun and Oyo states, Dr. Festus Oyebade Olowogboyega, expressed concern over what they described as a growing climate of fear in the state.
The APC leaders urged Governor Adeleke to call his supporters to order, warning that unchecked political violence could heighten tensions and threaten peace and democratic stability, adding that the governor must handover alleged wanted thug, Olalekan Emir Ajagungbade to security agencies.
They also appealed to the international community, election observers, civil society organisations and pro-democracy groups to closely monitor developments in Osun State and hold accountable anyone found undermining democratic processes through violence or intimidation.
Oke alleged that campaign buses belonging to the APC were attacked and vandalised on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, by suspected hoodlums believed to be affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Accord Party in the Owode-Ede area.
He claimed that several supporters of APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), sustained injuries during the attack, while campaign materials and other valuables were destroyed.
The APC campaign council described the alleged attack as a brazen act of violence that has no place in a democratic society and should concern all well-meaning residents of the state.
Oke further recalled previous incidents of politically related violence in Owode-Ede, including the 2022 attack on the wife of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, Mrs. Kafayat Oyetola, while she served as First Lady of the state.
According to him, the recurrence of violent incidents in the community raises serious concerns about criminal elements who appear emboldened by the absence of decisive action from those in authority.
The APC also questioned why citizens should be attacked because of their political affiliations and warned against attempts to suppress constitutional rights through intimidation.
The party further raised concerns over reports linking one of Governor Adeleke’s appointees, Nurudeen Alowonle, to recent disturbances in Osogbo, alleging that armed groups associated with political factions were involved in violent confrontations that left residents living in fear.
The opposition party maintained that innocent residents had become victims of the violence and called on security agencies to conduct thorough investigations and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
Reacting, the Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of the Imole Campaign Council, Rep. Bamidele Salam, dismissed the allegations, accusing the APC of sponsoring violence and later portraying itself as a victim.
Salam alleged that most victims of recent politically motivated attacks in Osun State were members and supporters of the Accord Party and its allies, citing the killing of an Accord member, Kolade Eluyera, in Irewole Local Government and the shooting of the Accord chairman in Osogbo Local Government, Hon. Asimiyu Ajibola, among other incidents.
He further alleged that several APC members had been repeatedly linked to violent acts across the state, accusing party leaders of shielding individuals whose actions threaten public peace rather than assisting law enforcement agencies.
The Imole Campaign Council also claimed that evidence, including video recordings, exists to support allegations that armed thugs used vehicles branded with APC campaign materials during some of the reported attacks.
Salam condemned violence in all forms, regardless of the political affiliation of either perpetrators or victims, and called on the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser, the DSS, the National Human Rights Commission, election observers and the international community to closely monitor the security situation in Osun State ahead of the governorship election.