Adeleke's team calls for recognition of those affected by election-related unrest in Osun state

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The Imole Campaign Council has proposed state honours and official recognition for victims of electoral violence and killings across Osun State, saying the gesture would acknowledge the sacrifices of supporters of Governor Ademola Adeleke who were allegedly attacked during the ongoing governorship campaign.

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In a statement posted on its Facebook page on Thursday and signed by its spokesman, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the council alleged that several members of the Accord Party and grassroots supporters of the governor had been killed, injured, abducted or detained because of their political affiliation and support for Adeleke’s re-election.

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The council listed Kolade Eluyera, who it said was killed in Ikire on May 8, 2026; Ezekiel Olapade, who it alleged was murdered in Ilobu on June 21, 2026; Ajayi Rogba, who it said was killed in Ẹsa-Òkè on June 23, 2026; and Timilehin Oni, whom it alleged was fatally shot last month.

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It also named Asimiyu Ajibola, Samuel Saliu, Taofeek Saka, Lawal Habeeb, Adeyemi Toheeb, Monday Fidelis, Ramoni Kamolideen, Kamar Aola and John Matthew among those it claimed were killed or injured while supporting Adeleke’s re-election campaign.

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According to the council, more than 100 campaign coordinators and supporters of the governor have also been arrested and detained in recent weeks.

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“The last few weeks have also witnessed the persecution and arbitrary detention of over 100 other focal campaigners of Adeleke by the police, in a desperate attempt to cripple grassroots mobilisation for the governor’s re-election on August 15, 2026,” the statement said.

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The campaign council condemned what it described as the assassination, persecution and intimidation of its members and urged the Nigeria Police Force to remain impartial and professional in the discharge of its responsibilities.

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While acknowledging that no recognition or compensation could measure up to the losses suffered by the victims and their families, the council maintained that those who paid what it described as the “supreme price” deserved official recognition from the state.

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“Although no recognition or compensation can measure up to the level of sacrifice of the victims of APC-sponsored attacks, the Imole Campaign Council finds it imperative and deserving that persons who have paid different kinds of sacrifices, even the supreme price, against oppression and repression, whilst demonstrating their support for the governor’s re-election, be accorded state honours. Their sacrifices are not in vain,” the statement added.

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The council said details of the proposed state honours would be communicated in due course.

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