Osun Poll: Adeleke, APC Camps Trade Blame Over Killings, Political Violence

The final hours of campaigning for Saturday’s Osun governorship election were dominated by bitter accusations of political violence, killings and intimidation as supporters of Governor Ademola Adeleke and APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji traded blame over the deteriorating security situation.

The accusations were exchanged on Thursday during TVC News’ Beyond the Headlines, hours before the campaign deadline expires at midnight.

Kehinde Oyetunji, APC Campaign Coordinator for Osun West, alleged that supporters of the APC had been targeted in politically motivated attacks.

He specifically alleged that the nephew of the Director-General of the APC campaign council was killed in Osogbo and that another person was critically injured.

“At exactly 11:05pm yesterday night, the nephew of the DG of our campaign organisation was killed in SRS at the SRS roundabout,” Oyetunji alleged.

He further alleged that opposition supporters had been attacked and accused some government officials and security personnel of involvement in the violence.

Oyetunji called on security agencies to protect voters and ensure that the election was not disrupted.

“All we are calling for is peaceful election,” he said.

He appealed directly to residents, saying: “We are friends, we are family, we are brothers, we are sisters. We belong to the same religion. We belong to the same family.”

He urged voters to resist provocation, vote peacefully and protect their ballots.

But Olajengbesi rejected the allegations against the Adeleke administration and accused the APC of attempting to blame the government for violence.

He cited alleged arrests of APC members in possession of firearms and other incidents which, according to him, demonstrated the need for an independent investigation.

“God forbid, I’ll sit down here and legitimise or have conversation about killings of people in an attempt to promote political gains,” Olajengbesi said.

He argued that those behind the violence should be identified and prosecuted irrespective of their political affiliation.

The Adeleke campaign spokesman also disclosed that his organisation had approached the National Human Rights Commission over the killings.

“Our party has written to the National Human Rights Commission to set up an independent inquiry on the killings that happened in Osun State immediately after this election,” he said.

Olajengbesi added: “Everyone who is connected to the killings in Osun State will have to give account of their deeds.”

The exchange comes against a backdrop of growing concern over election-related violence in Osun.

SERAP said 56 politically related violent incidents and 14 fatalities had been recorded in the state over the preceding 12 months, while urging authorities to ensure that no voter is forced to participate in the election in fear.

Both campaign representatives eventually appealed for peace despite their sharply conflicting accounts.

Oyetunji told voters to reject provocation and vote peacefully, while Olajengbesi said anyone responsible for violence would eventually be held accountable.

With campaigning ending at midnight, the focus now shifts to Saturday’s election — and whether the competing parties, their supporters and security agencies can translate their public appeals for peace into action at the polling units.