By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Wednesday condemned the killing of an Accord Party member, Mr. Ajayi Rogba, in Esa-Oke, Obokun Local Government Area, describing the incident as a tragic consequence of rising political violence ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The governor spoke during a condolence visit to the family of the deceased, where he expressed sympathy with the widow, children and other relatives of Rogba, who was reportedly shot dead by unidentified gunmen on Tuesday evening.
Addressing residents and party supporters who gathered at the family residence, Adeleke described the late Rogba as a courageous individual who stood firmly by his political convictions.
“If you allow them to win, that means Rogba died in vain. Rogba is a hero,” the governor declared.
Adeleke alleged that political opponents were responsible for the growing violence in the state and accused them of resorting to intimidation and bloodshed because of declining public support.
Referring specifically to former lawmaker, Wole Oke, the governor criticized his political record and linked the violence to desperation among some politicians ahead of the election.
“You have been there for years and people suffered during your tenure. Because people said enough is enough, you now want to be killing people, even in your own town,” Adeleke said.
The governor revealed that he had reported the escalated concerns about the security situation in Osun State to the highest levels of government, including President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
According to him, he had repeatedly reported incidents of violence and killings to security authorities but lamented what he described as inadequate action against perpetrators.
“I have called the President and informed him about what is happening. I have also spoken with the Vice President. Enough is enough. My people are dying,” he stated.
Adeleke also appealed to the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies to intensify efforts to arrest those responsible for recent killings and acts of violence across the state.
Addressing the widow and children of the deceased, the governor assured them of government support and promised that the family would not be abandoned.
“My children, I am your father now. I will take care of you. Nothing will happen to you. Your father was a brave man,” Adeleke said.
Meanwhile, the widow of the deceased has alleged that her husband was targeted because of his political affiliation and refusal to defect from the Accord Party.
Speaking amid tears, she recounted the circumstances leading to the attack, claiming that Rogba was killed shortly after meeting with a local youth leader identified as Oladapo.
According to her, she had gone to deliver food and medication to her husband, who was reportedly ill, when she met him in the company of the youth leader.
“I brought food for my husband and met him at the junction. He was with Oladapo, the youth leader of Esa-Oke, and they were discussing,” she said.
The widow alleged that the youth leader had repeatedly pressured her husband to join another political camp but that he consistently refused.
“The youth leader was asking him to join Wole Oke’s group, but he refused. Since then, they had not been on good terms,” she alleged.
She further claimed that moments before the attack, a commercial motorcyclist warned them about a suspicious Siena vehicle moving around the area.
According to her account, armed men later emerged and opened fire on Rogba.
“They shot him and the bullet did not penetrate. After something was removed from his bag, they shot him again and he fell. He kept saying that they had taken something from him,” she alleged.
The widow said her husband died shortly after he was rushed to the hospital.
“He died immediately we got to the hospital. Since the incident happened, I have not seen Oladapo again,” she claimed.
She called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the killing and bring those responsible to justice.
“I want justice for my husband. He was innocent. Those behind his death must be identified and prosecuted,” she said.
As of the time of filing this report, the allegations made by the widow had not been independently verified, while those mentioned in her account had yet to respond to the claims.
The Osun State Police Command had also not issued an official statement on the specific allegations, although investigations into the killing were said to be ongoing.
The killing of Rogba has heightened concerns over rising political violence in Osun State and intensified calls for improved security ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
