At least three people were reportedly injured on Tuesday following a series of violent incidents linked to political activities in different parts of Osun State.
The unrest reportedly began after members of the All Progressives Congress in the Ife Federal Constituency embarked on a campaign rally across the area.
During the rally, suspected thugs allegedly attacked members of the campaign team around the Sabo area of Ile-Ife. Sources indicated that the attackers were resisted, while a motorcycle allegedly belonging to the assailants was set ablaze.
The incident reportedly heightened tensions and triggered further disturbances as news of the clash spread to neighbouring communities.
Witnesses in Akoda and Owode-Ede, located in Ede North Local Government Area, alleged that an APC campaign convoy was involved in a gunfight with supporters of the Accord Party while returning from Ede. Reports also indicated that armed individuals were later seen around Aregbesola Bus Stop, Olaiya, and Oke-Fia in Osogbo, firing gunshots into the air.
Speaking to journalists at the Government House Banquet Hall in Osogbo, Ademola Adeleke blamed the violence on supporters of the APC, specifically linking the attacks to supporters of the party’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. He called on Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and help prevent further violence in the state.
The governor later visited injured victims receiving treatment at the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital and the General Hospital in Ede alongside members of his cabinet and media representatives.
According to Adeleke, reports suggested that attacks began in the Sabo area of Ile-Ife before spreading to Akoda, Aisu Junction, Owode, Olaiya, Old Garage, Oke-Fia, and areas surrounding Government House in Osogbo. However, the APC Campaign Council rejected the governor’s claims and accused the ruling party of sponsoring violence against its members.
The APC Campaign Council Media Chairman, Remi Omowaye, condemned what he described as intimidation, harassment, and attacks allegedly carried out by individuals linked to the ruling party.
He alleged that APC campaign buses were attacked and vandalised by suspected PDP and Accord Party supporters in the Owode-Ede area, leaving several party supporters injured and causing damage to campaign materials and property.
In a separate development, an APC chieftain, Lawrence Dada, alleged that soldiers believed to be attached to the Nigeria Army Engineering Regiment Corps in Ede invaded his business premises in Osogbo.
According to Dada, the soldiers allegedly removed valuables including two motorcycles, a generating set, a mounted CCTV camera, and took away two individuals from the premises. He called on the state Commissioner of Police to investigate the incident and questioned whether political party affiliation should attract such treatment.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Ibrahim Gotan, has advised political parties to suspend campaign rallies in Oriade Local Government Area to prevent further violence.
In a statement issued by Police Public Relations Officer Abiodun Ojelabi, the command explained that the decision was based on credible intelligence indicating a potential breakdown of law and order within the council area.
The police said efforts to broker peace among political parties had reached a deadlock due to a lack of cooperation from some stakeholders. Consequently, all political parties, candidates, supporters, and residents were urged to comply with the advisory in the interest of public safety and peace.
The command noted that an earlier peace meeting convened by the Commissioner of Police could not hold, making preventive security measures necessary to avoid escalation of tensions ahead of the election.
