The All Progressives Congress (APC), Ward 7, Esa-Oke, has distanced itself and the Director-General of the Osun APC Campaign Council, Hon. Wole Oke, from the death of Ajayi Rogba, warning against attempts to politicise the incident.
The party made the position known on Friday during a press conference held at its secretariat in Esa-Oke, Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State.
Addressing journalists, the Chairman of the Governorship Campaign for Obokun Local Government, Prof. Siji Olamiju, described the death of Rogba as tragic and expressed condolences to the deceased’s family.
He said the party was concerned by what it described as attempts by some political actors to use the incident for partisan purposes, insisting that the death of a young man should not become a tool for political propaganda.
The APC maintained that linking the incident to politics before the conclusion of police investigations was premature, stressing that justice could only be achieved through a thorough, impartial and professional investigation.
The party also stated that neither the APC Ward 7 nor Hon. Wole Oke had any connection with the circumstances surrounding Rogba’s death, describing attempts to implicate them as baseless and unsupported by credible evidence.
The APC called on Governor Ademola Adeleke and other public office holders to exercise restraint and allow security agencies to carry out their constitutional responsibilities without interference or premature conclusions.
It also urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to conduct a comprehensive, transparent and unbiased investigation by pursuing every credible lead and inviting all individuals whose testimonies could assist investigators. The party specifically mentioned Erebe, Dele Ajayi, Barr. Idowu Akinshola, Abuga, Muri, Mewo White and any other persons considered relevant to the investigation.
According to the party, varying accounts surrounding the incident have generated public concern, adding that only the outcome of a credible investigation should determine the actual circumstances of Rogba’s death.
The APC appealed to residents of Esa-Oke and the general public to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and cooperate with security agencies throughout the investigation.
It reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law, justice and accountability, insisting that anyone found culpable after a lawful investigation, irrespective of political affiliation or status, should face the full weight of the law.
The party further urged political stakeholders to honour the memory of the deceased by allowing truth, justice and due process to prevail over politics and unfounded accusations.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Obokun East Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Owoeye Samuel Abiodun, appealed to Governor Ademola Adeleke not to return to Esa-Oke to make remarks he said were offensive to prominent indigenes of the community.
He said the town was still mourning the death of Ajayi Rogba and expected the governor’s visit to be one of condolence.
According to him, the governor instead made comments that had generated reactions on social media, describing the language as uncalled for and urging the public to condemn such conduct.
He said, “The governor should please never come to this town again to abuse or curse any sons and daughters of this land. Governor, please, we are still mourning our child. You said you wanted to come and condole with us, but you came here and were still raining curses on the prominent sons of this town. I think it is unfair, and we want the whole world to condemn that attitude. That foul language trending on social media is uncalled for.”
