By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has praised the state police command for what it described as the timely and professional handling of an alleged assassination attempt on the Director-General of its governorship campaign, Hon. Wole Oke.
In a statement issued on Friday by its Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, the APC said the police deserved commendation for swiftly arresting three suspects allegedly linked to the incident, which reportedly occurred at Ipetu-Jesa, Oriade Local Government Area, during Oke’s visit to the palace of the Ajalaye of Ipetu-Jesa, Oba (Dr.) Agunbiade Oke.
According to the party, the suspects—identified as Olamilekan Oriyomi, 24; Ayotunde Ikupolati, 44; and Femi Fakinleye, 31—were arrested on Tuesday, June 30, following what it described as an intelligence-led operation.
The APC noted that the police also recovered a loaded English Beretta pistol from the suspects.
The party recalled that the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, through the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, while parading the suspects in Osogbo on Thursday, said the arrests were part of the command’s sustained efforts to combat cultism, political thuggery and other violent crimes threatening peace in the state.
The party described the police action as proactive, particularly with less than two months to the August 15 governorship election, saying it would help maintain peace and reassure residents ahead of the polls.
The statement argued that if the alleged attack had succeeded, the state could have been plunged into another period of violence and political tension.
The party urged the police to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the alleged assassination attempt, insisting that everyone found to be directly or indirectly connected with the incident should be identified, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The APC also challenged Governor Ademola Adeleke to publicly condemn the alleged attack, expressing concern that, according to the party, the governor had not reacted to the incident four days after it allegedly occurred.
In addition, the opposition party called on security agencies to intensify efforts to rid the state of political violence and thoroughly investigate any individuals allegedly mentioned by the arrested suspects during police interrogation.
The statement further accused the Adeleke administration of tolerating political violence and harbouring individuals allegedly linked to criminal activities, claims for which it did not provide evidence.
Reaffirming its confidence ahead of the August 15 governorship election, the APC urged its members and supporters to continue mobilising support for its candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), through peaceful and lawful campaigns.
The party maintained that its candidate remains well positioned to win the forthcoming election.
