Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke
By John Dike, Osogbo
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has condemned what he described as coordinated political attacks in Osogbo, Ede and Ile-Ife, accusing former governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, of allegedly sponsoring violence aimed at destabilizing the state.
Speaking during an emergency press briefing at the Government House in Osogbo on Tuesday, Adeleke alleged that political thugs operating under the banner of the “AMBO” campaign attacked residents in several communities, leaving many injured and reportedly causing fatalities.
According to the governor, the violence began in Ile-Ife before spreading to Akoda, Owode, Olaiya, Old Garage, Okefia and other parts of Osogbo.
He claimed that the attackers moved in a convoy of about 15 vehicles branded with AMBO campaign insignia and operated freely without intervention from security agencies.
“As at the time of calling this press conference, several residents were feared injured and even one or two people killed. The attackers are led by thugs known as Aleba and Asiri,” Adeleke alleged.
The governor expressed dissatisfaction with the response of the police, claiming that security operatives failed to stop the attacks or arrest those involved.
Describing the incidents as outrageous and unprovoked, Adeleke warned that the recurring violence could threaten the peace and stability of the state if not urgently addressed.
“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the destabilising roles of Gboyega Oyetola and Bola Oyebamiji. The provocation is getting to an unbearable level. For the past few months, I have been calming my people to maintain peace despite persistent attacks,” he said.
The governor recalled previous incidents of violence, including the killing of an Accord Party youth leader in Ikire and the shooting of the Accord chairman in Osogbo, insisting that political attacks must cease.
He appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to intervene and ensure peace in Osun State.
Following the briefing, Adeleke embarked on an assessment tour of affected areas and visited victims receiving treatment at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital in Osogbo.
During the visit, he met with injured victims, their families and medical personnel attending to them. He also paid a solidarity visit to the Accord Party chairman in Osogbo Local Government Area, who was reportedly attacked last week by suspected assailants.
The governor later proceeded to the Cottage Hospital in Ede, where additional victims of the attacks were receiving medical attention.
Addressing patients and residents during the visits, Adeleke described the attacks as unfortunate, reprehensible and inconsistent with the peaceful character of Osun State.
He emphasized that political competition should never degenerate into violence, intimidation or attacks on innocent citizens.
“No political ambition is worth the blood or suffering of our people. Osun remains a peaceful state and we will not allow any individual or group to disrupt the peace that our people have worked hard to sustain,” the governor stated.
Adeleke directed security agencies to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incidents and ensure that all perpetrators, regardless of political affiliation or status, are brought to justice.
He also disclosed that additional security measures were being deployed to vulnerable locations across the state to forestall further attacks and maintain law and order.
Expressing concern over what he called a growing pattern of politically motivated violence, the governor stressed that no citizen should face attacks for exercising constitutionally guaranteed political rights.
While praying for the speedy recovery of those injured, Adeleke urged political leaders across party lines to caution their supporters against actions capable of undermining public peace and democratic stability.
He further appealed to residents to remain calm, law-abiding and cooperate with security agencies as investigations continue, assuring them of his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
The APC and the individuals named by the governor had not issued official responses to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
