Osun guber: Campaign councils trade accusations over alleged killing of members

The Osun State governorship campaign atmosphere intensified on Friday as the governorship campaign councils of the two major political parties exchanged allegations over unresolved political killings, with both calling on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

In separate statements issued during the visit of the Inspector-General of Police to Osun State on Friday, the Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council urged the police chief to ensure the arrest of suspects declared wanted in connection with the killings of its members, while the Imole Campaign Council (ICC), representing the Accord Party, called for investigations into alleged killings involving APC members and demanded the redeployment of the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan.

The APC Campaign Council, in a statement signed by its Head of Media and Publicity Committee, Engr. Oluremi Omowaiye, welcomed the Inspector-General of Police and expressed confidence in his commitment to professionalism, justice and the rule of law.

According to the council, “the police should intensify efforts to apprehend all persons declared wanted over alleged violent crimes and ensure they are prosecuted in accordance with the law.”

The APC campaign also requested a comprehensive review of unresolved murder cases involving its members since 2022, alleging that several party chieftains and supporters were killed in separate incidents across the state.

It appealed for a thorough investigation into the recent alleged attempted assassination of its Director-General, Hon. Oluwole Oke.

The council specifically called for “the immediate arrest of Olalekan Oyeyemi, also known as Emir Ajagungbade, Nurudeen Wakili, also known as Nurudeen Alawonle, Solomon Adefioye, also known as Solo Iwara, and Jide Joda. They had been declared wanted by the police in connection with various killings involving APC members.”

It also urged the Inspector-General to investigate allegations linking Senate Minority Leader Lere Oyewumi to the murders of APC chieftains Saheed Oyegunju and Remi Abass, as well as claims that he allegedly interfered with police investigations.

The council called on the police to “follow all credible leads and evidence without interference.”

“The Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council remains committed to peace, democracy and the rule of law. We urge all our members and supporters to remain peaceful and continue to cooperate with security agencies as they discharge their constitutional responsibilities.”

Responding in its own statement, the Imole Campaign Council expressed concern over recent developments involving policing and security management in Osun State, arguing that public confidence in law enforcement should be protected.

The council, through its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, alleged that unresolved killings involving Accord members also deserved investigation.

It listed several people who have lost their lives in separate incidents of political violence and urged the Inspector-General to ensure that all cases were thoroughly investigated.

The Imole Campaign Council also called for the redeployment of Osun State Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan, arguing that a new police commissioner whose neutrality would inspire public confidence should be appointed ahead of the governorship election.

“This call is not made out of hostility toward any individual but in the overriding interest of restoring public trust in policing within Osun State. Confidence in law enforcement is indispensable to peaceful elections, political stability and effective crime fighting,” the statement said.

The council urged the Inspector-General to investigate APC governorship candidate Bola Oyebamiji, Wole Oke and Engr. Remi Omowaiye over separate allegations relating to the killings of Accord members, while also seeking the arrest of several individuals it alleged were involved in violent attacks in parts of the state.

The council, while urging its supporters to remain law-abiding, avoid inflammatory conduct and cooperate with lawful security operations, maintained that it remained committed to peaceful political engagement before, during and after the August 15 governorship election.