73 Violent Incidents, 29 Deaths
Recorded Ahead of Osun Poll
By John Dike, Osogbo
Less than 72 hours before Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, concerns over election-related violence have intensified, with a report indicating that no fewer than 73 violent incidents resulting in 29 deaths have been recorded in the build-up to the poll.
The report, citing data from the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), identified Osogbo as the worst-hit area and warned that the rising violence could discourage voter participation and undermine the credibility of the election.
It noted that both the Accord Party and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have traded accusations over several violent incidents across the state, while security agencies continue investigations into many of the cases.
The report also recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) identified 385 flashpoints across 11 local government areas and announced enhanced security measures ahead of the election.
It further stated that the Nigeria Police Force has deployed 14,692 personnel, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 10,210 officers to provide security during the governorship poll.
The report urged political actors to embrace peaceful campaigns and called on security agencies to ensure a free, fair and violence-free election.
Meanwhile, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, condemned the killing in Esa-Oke and the destruction of property, directing security agencies to intensify surveillance in the community and ordering the police to conduct a thorough investigation and bring those responsible to justice.
The governor described the incident as an unfortunate consequence of political incitement and alleged that Senator Francis Fadahunsi had made statements capable of triggering violence.
He also claimed that more than 15 Accord Party members had been killed in recent months and alleged that over 20 homes belonging to Accord supporters were raided in Ikire.
On its part, the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) accused the Accord Party of killing Dele Ayegbo, a nephew of its governorship campaign Director-General, Hon. Wole Oke, in Esa-Oke, Obokun Local Government Area, on Wednesday night.
According to the party, Ayegbo was shot dead near his residence at Idofin area of Esa-Oke, while another APC member sustained gunshot injuries and is receiving treatment at a hospital.
The APC alleged that the killing reflected what it described as escalating political violence in the state and called on the police to immediately investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.
The party also accused the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, of involvement in an attack on its House of Representatives candidate, Francis Eniade, in Okuku.
It alleged that suspected thugs and security aides attached to the Speaker invaded the Okuku Divisional Police Station, injured Eniade’s driver and damaged vehicles after the APC candidate sought refuge there.
Speaking with journalists, APC Campaign Council spokesperson, Remi Omowaiye, condemned the worsening security situation in the state and blamed the ruling Accord Party for the recent killings.
Omowaiye alleged that the attack involving Eniade occurred in front of the Okuku Divisional Police Headquarters and questioned why those responsible had not been arrested.
He said the APC was not accusing the police of complicity but urged the security agency to act swiftly and decisively in line with its constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property as the state prepares for Saturday’s governorship election.
The party further appealed to security agencies to ensure that all perpetrators of political violence are arrested and prosecuted, insisting that the forthcoming election must be conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.
