By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Monday said that violence, bloodshed and intimidation cannot guarantee electoral victory, warning opposition parties and their supporters against resorting to thuggery ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
He spoke during a condolence visit to the family of late Ezekiel Olapade, a teenager who was allegedly shot dead on Sunday in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area of the state.
Accusing political thugs allegedly linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC) of carrying out the attack using an “AMBO”-branded vehicle, he said Osun people would not be intimidated by acts of violence.
The governor, accompanied by government officials, was visibly emotional as he sympathised with the bereaved family, describing the killing as painful, unfortunate and unacceptable.
He said political violence would neither deter residents from exercising their democratic rights nor stop his administration’s re-election .
His words, “Violence is not a yardstick for winning elections. Osun APC and its candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, cannot kill their way into government. Osun people are not afraid of gunshots and violence. We are a courageous people and cannot be silenced.
He questioned what he described as the strategy behind repeated attacks on citizens by those seeking political office.
“You are attacking and maiming people you want to govern. How can that be a strategy for securing power? They killed innocent people whose votes they are seeking. They think violence will give them the governorship, but Osun will never be captured by brute force,” the governor stated.
Adeleke also visited Osun State Teaching Hospital, where he met John Mathew, who survived the attack that claimed Olapade’s life. He described the shooting as barbaric and a demonstration of man’s inhumanity to man.
The governor disclosed that he had communicated with police authorities and demanded the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the attack.
“I have spoken with the police authorities. They must arrest and prosecute the killers. This criminal conduct must stop. APC thugs also attempted to attack my son. We will not rest until justice prevails,” he said.
He reiterated his confidence in securing another term in office through the ballot box.
“Osun people will not bow to agents of violence. We will vote and, by God’s grace, I shall be re-elected,” Adeleke added.
Also speaking during the visit, the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, condemned the killing of innocent citizens and prayed for divine justice.
“God will avenge the death of Ezekiel. We pray that God consoles the family and punishes those behind these killings,” he said.
Chairman of the Accord Party in Irepodun Local Government Area, Hon. Ajibade Sikiru, who received the governor, narrated what he described as a series of attacks allegedly perpetrated by a man identified simply as Saheed.
He alleged that several complaints had previously been lodged with security agencies over the suspect’s activities, but that no decisive action had been taken.
“We have been warning about Saheed and the shootings around the town. Last week, he attacked some Accord members and was reported to the police, but he was allegedly released. If appropriate action had been taken then, Ezekiel might still be alive today,” Sikiru alleged.
He further claimed that previous attacks had been carried out using an AMBO-branded Sienna vehicle and urged security agencies not to politicise matters concerning the safety of residents.
The governor was accompanied by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun; Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye; State Chairman of the Accord Party, Pastor Victor Akande; Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi; member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Maruf Adewale Gangaria; Special Adviser on Legal Matters, Nurudeen Kareem; Political Adviser to the Governor, Muniru Raji, and other top government officials.
Meanwhile, the state police commissioner Mr Ibrahim Gotan, said he has directed detectives from the state criminal and investigation department SCID to apprehend the suspect whom he said had been identified.
