- Six Killed, Several Injured In 7 Months
- Adeleke Raises The Alarm, Seeks Tinubu’s Intervention
- ADC Accuses APC Of Political Intimidation
There are indications that the August 15 gorvernorship election in Osun State may be marred with violence.
This followed series of attacks in the state in recent times.
Findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that political killings and election-related violence have sharply escalated in the state, driven by violent clashes between the Accord Party and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the governorship election.
The medium reports that in the last few months, the state has witnessed high-profile killings and violence involving key stakeholders and supporters of both the Accord and APC.
Both the APC and Accord Party have also embarked on destruction of campaign billboards, a development that has heightened tension in the state.
On Tuesday, gun-wielding political thugs allegedly associated with the governorship candidate of the APC, Bola Oyebamiji, were on rampage in Osogbo, the state capital, firing live bullets at innocent residents and motorists in a daring show of terror.
The incident has however attracted widespread condemnation from various political parties and residents with one person reportedly dead and several injured.
Records indicated that there had been past political killings and attacks in the state in the last seven months related to the 2026 Osun election.
Recall that the Accord Party Chairman in Osogbo Local Government, Asimiyu Ajibola was last week shot by gunmen near the MDS area of Osogbo.
According to a report, Ajibola survived and was treated at the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital.
In May 2026 at Ikire, headquarters of Irewole Local Government Area of the state, the son of the Osun Accord Party women leader, Kolade Eluyera was murdered amid rising political tension and violence. Earlier, in February 2025, during the violence surrounding control of local government secretariats between the Adeleke’s government and the APC that left multiple people dead across the state, Irewole LGA chairman, Remi Abass was killed, as well as casualties in Isokan and Boripe.
In January 2026, a supporter of the APC and former unit chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers, Kazeem Oyewole was killed at Orita Elelede, Osogbo, allegedly by Olalekan Oyeyemi popularly known as Emir.
Also, in November 2025, a leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Adeboye Ademoroti was shot dead by some unidentified assailants in Ilesa. His death was attributed to the ongoing political violence in the state.
Meanwhile, the Osun APC in January condemned what it described as extra-judicial killings of its members by hoodlums allegedly working for politicians in the state, alleging that three of its members were killed between November and December.
The party in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi stressed that one Mr Lateef Ajitoba was murdered with several axe cuts on his body. His body was discovered inside a gutter at Oke-Ogbun, Osogbo Road, Ila-Orangun.
- Adeleke Raises The Alarm, Seeks Tinubu’s Intervention
Meanwhile, Governor Ademola Adeleke, has raised the alarm over the ongoing political violence in the state, especially Tuesday’s incident, accusing political thugs loyal to the AMBO political movement of carrying out coordinated attacks in parts of the state.
Adeleke alleged that several residents were injured while some persons were feared killed.
The governor condemned the attacks, which he said occurred in Ile-Ife, Ede and Osogbo, calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene by cautioning the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, and the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
Adeleke made the allegations during an emergency press briefing at the Government House, Osogbo.
According to the governor, the attacks began in Ile-Ife before spreading to Akoda, Owode, Olaiya, Old Garage, Okefia and other parts of Osogbo.
He alleged that the attackers moved around in a convoy of 15 vehicles branded with AMBO campaign materials without any intervention from security operatives.
“As at the time of calling this press conference, several residents were feared injured and even one or two people killed. The attackers are led by thugs known as Aleba and Asiri,” Adeleke said.
“Worst still, the state police command has not raised a finger to stop the attacks or arrest the attackers. These attacks are outrageous, unprovoked and a deliberate step to plunge the state into chaos.”
The governor accused Oyetola and Oyebamiji of playing what he described as destabilising roles in the escalating political tension in the state.
“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the destabilising roles of Marine Minister, Gboyega Oyetola and the Osun APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. The provocation is getting to an unbearable level. For the past few months, I have been calming my people to maintain peace despite persistent attacks,” he said.
He also referenced recent incidents involving members of the Accord Party, alleging that political violence had become a growing concern in the state.
“Just a month or so ago, a youth leader of Accord was killed at Ikire. A few days ago, the Osogbo chairman of Accord was shot at Osogbo. These attacks must stop. Our people should not be pushed to the wall,” he added.
Adeleke called on the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security chiefs to pay special attention to developments in Osun State.
“I call on the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of DSS and other top security officials to shine a special light on Osun State.
“I appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call Mr Oyetola and Oyebamiji to order,” the governor said.
Following the briefing, Adeleke visited several flashpoints and hospitals where victims of the attacks were receiving treatment.
He first visited the Osun State Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, where he met with injured victims, their families and medical personnel.
The governor also paid a solidarity visit to the Chairman of Accord in Osogbo Local Government Area, who was reportedly attacked last week by suspected assailants.
He later proceeded to the Cottage Hospital in Ede to meet additional victims receiving treatment.
Expressing sympathy with those affected, Adeleke assured them that the state government would stand by them and ensure that justice is served.
The governor described the attacks as unfortunate and inconsistent with Osun’s reputation as a peaceful state.
“I am deeply saddened by the reports and the injuries inflicted on innocent citizens. No political ambition is worth the blood or suffering of our people,” he said.
“Osun remains a peaceful state and we will not allow any individual or group to disrupt the peace that our people have worked hard to sustain.”
Adeleke reiterated that political disagreements should never degenerate into violence, intimidation or attacks on innocent citizens.
The governor directed security agencies to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incidents and ensure that all those responsible are brought to justice, regardless of their political affiliations.
He also disclosed that additional security measures were being deployed to vulnerable areas across the state to forestall further violence.
Adeleke urged political actors to caution their supporters and avoid actions capable of undermining public peace and democratic stability.
He further appealed to residents to remain calm, law-abiding and cooperative with security agencies as investigations continue, assuring them of his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
- ADC Accuses APC Of Political Intimidation
Reacting to the incident, the African Democratic Congress in the state, condemned the Tuesday’s show while accusing the APC of political intimidation and a calculated attempt to instil fear among the electorate ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.
The party in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Abosede Oluwaseun called on the Commissioner of Police, Osun Command, to rise above every perception of political bias and ensure a thorough investigation into the incidents.
A copy of the statement obtained by OSUN DEFENDER read partly: “The usually peaceful town of Osogbo came under siege today as suspected APC political thugs reportedly went on a shooting spree across the state capital in branded AMBO campaign vehicles, as well as vehicles bearing the insignia of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aided by a Police Escort vehicle.
“These gun-wielding non-state actors subjected innocent residents to fear and intimidation, firing sporadically at several strategic locations across the town.
“Eyewitness accounts indicate that the armed men stopped at the Oranmiyan House, Aregbe Junction, which serves as the Osun ADC Campaign Headquarters, where they allegedly fired several shots before proceeding to the NURTW park opposite the building and shooting indiscriminately at vehicles and individuals in the vicinity.
“According to witnesses, the hoodlums subsequently moved through Owode Ede, Olaiya Junction, Old Garage, and other strategic locations within Osogbo, unleashing a reign of terror in broad daylight, leaving trails of agony and blood behind without any visible intervention from security agencies!
“The Osun State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) views this disturbing development as a deliberate attempt at voter intimidation and a calculated effort to instill fear among the electorate ahead of the forthcoming governorship election. Such acts are capable of discouraging citizens from participating in the democratic process and fostering voter apathy.
“The perpetrators of this criminal act must be identified, arrested, and prosecuted in accordance with the law. Osun State must not be allowed to descend into an era of political violence and lawlessness.
“Lastly, no political party or group should assume it has a monopoly of violence, a word is enough.”
Yusuf Oketola is a trained journalist with over five years of experience in the media industry. He has worked for both print and online medium. He is a thorough-bred professional with an eye of hindsight on issues bothering on social justice, purposeful leadership, and a society where the leaders charge and work for the prosperity of the people.
