Adeleke and APC point fingers as clashes in Osun leave three hurt

n n

…Soldiers attack APC member’s business

n

….Police suspend rallies in Oriade

n

By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

n

Three persons were reportedly injured following political violence that erupted in parts of Osun State on Tuesday.

n

It was gathered that the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the Ife Federal Constituency held a rally early in the morning across the town during which some thugs attacked the team around the Sabo area.

n

Findings revealed that the attackers were repelled and their motorcycle was allegedly set on fire, a move which set the atmosphere for other incidents as the report of the incident spread across the towns.

n

Sources in Akoda and Owode-Ede in the Ede-North local government area informed Vanguard that the campaign convoy, while returning from Ede, was engaged in a shootout with Accord party supporters. Some thugs were later sighted in Osogbo around Aregbesola Bus Stop, Olaiya and Oke-fia, shooting sporadically into the air.

n

Addressing newsmen at the Government House Banquet Hall in Osogbo, Governor Ademola Adeleke attributed the said attack to APC, saying the hoodlums that unleashed the attack are supporters of the party’s candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in a bid to stop the violence.

n

The governor later led media men and members of his cabinet on a sympathy visit to the injured victims at the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, and the General Hospital in Ede.

n

His words: “Reports indicated that the attacks started early this morning in Ile-Ife, especially the Sabo area. The APC thugs fired guns sporadically, creating commotion in the ancient city.

n

“We were processing that information when we got details of large-scale attacks and gunshots at both Ede and Osogbo. According to eyewitness accounts, the attacks started at Akoda and continued at Aisu Junction, where the assailants jumped down and shot sporadically.

n

“The attackers in a 15-vehicle convoy branded with AMBO pictures further launched attacks at Owode. They then proceeded to Olaiya, Old Garage, Oke Fia and even around Government House.”

n

However, the APC Campaign Council Media Chairman, Remi Omowaye, blamed the governor for the spate of violence being witnessed in the state ahead of the election, expressing concern over sponsored violence against APC members.

n

“The Council condemns in the strongest terms the growing culture of intimidation, harassment and violence being perpetrated by the criminal elements acting under the influence of the ruling party in the state.

n

“We call on Governor Ademola Adeleke to immediately call his political foot soldiers, janjaweed and thugs to order before they plunge Osun State into a deeper state of insecurity and make the state more ungovernable.

n

“Only this morning, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, campaign buses belonging to the APC were attacked and vandalised by suspected PDP/Accord bandits in the Owode-Ede area. The attack left several AMBO supporters severely injured while valuable campaign materials and property were destroyed. Such brazen acts of violence have no place in a democratic society and should worry every well-meaning citizen of Osun State,” he said.

n

Meanwhile, some soldiers allegedly from the Nigeria Army Engineering Regiment Corps, Ede, reportedly invaded the business premises of an APC chieftain, Lawrence Dada, around the testing ground area of the state capital and carted away valuables, including two motorcycles, a mounted CCTV camera, and a generating set, along with two persons.

n

He queried whether membership of a political party is a crime and called on the commissioner of police, Ibrahim Gotan, to investigate the invasion.

n

“The soldiers from Ede, while I was speaking with them on the phone, alleged that I am an APC, and I told him yes, then asked whether it is a crime. He was shouting that I should come to the office, but before I got there, they had carted valuables away along with two persons,” he said.

n

In a related development, the Osun State Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Gotan, has advised political parties to suspend rallies in the Oriade local government council area to avert political violence.

n

The Command, in a statement by the public relations officer Abiodun Ojelabi, stated that the decision is to avert political violence in the council area owing to lack of cooperation by some political parties.

n

According to him, the decision is based on credible intelligence and security concerns within the Oriade Local Government Area which could lead to a breakdown of law and order.

n

“This move by the command is due to the non-cooperative attitude of some parties, as all efforts by the command to foster peace ended in a deadlock. This proactive measure is aimed at preventing any breach of peace/breakdown of law and order, maintaining public order, and protecting the lives and property of residents of the area.

n

“All political parties, candidates, supporters, followers and members of the public are hereby admonished to take note and comply for the best interest of peace. This advice becomes imperative as the peace meeting earlier scheduled/called by the Commissioner of Police with the concerned political parties could not hold,” he added.

n n