By John Dike, Osogbo
As the August 15:Governorship election nears, the Imole Campaign Council (TICC), the campaign organisation of Governor Ademola Adeleke, and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) have exchanged accusations over violence linked to public motor parks in the state.
The war of words followed reported attempts by political actors to assert control over motor parks, with both camps accusing each other of actions capable of undermining peace and security in the state.
The Imole Campaign Council alleged that the APC was sponsoring violence and plotting to destabilise Osun in a bid to influence the outcome of the forthcoming governorship election.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, Esq., TICC alleged that suspected APC loyalists invaded several motor parks in Osogbo in the early hours of the day in an attempt to forcefully take over the facilities, creating tension in parts of the state capital.
According to the council, the alleged operation was led by Kazeem Oyewale, popularly known as “Asiri Eniba,” whom it accused of coordinating acts of violence with the backing of security personnel.
The campaign organisation claimed the incident reflected what it described as the APC’s desperation, alleging that the opposition party had lost public support and was now resorting to intimidation to influence the electoral process.
TICC further alleged that the development resembled the local government crisis of February 2025, which it said resulted in loss of lives, warning that similar incidents should not be allowed to recur.
The council argued that with only a few weeks to the governorship election, the alleged violence was intended to create fear among residents and discourage voter participation.
It also questioned what it described as the visible security protection allegedly provided to Oyewale during the incident, expressing concern over photographs circulating on social media which it claimed showed him being escorted by operatives of the Police Special Protection Unit (SPU).
“We wonder who authorised the attachment of SPUs to a notorious thug and who provided protection for him while violence allegedly unfolded in parts of the state, especially at a time when security resources should be deployed to protect law-abiding citizens,” the statement said.
The council maintained that public institutions, particularly security agencies, must remain neutral and discharge their constitutional responsibilities without political bias.
It urged eligible voters not to be intimidated by what it described as undemocratic tactics, assuring residents of its commitment to peaceful campaigns and a credible electoral process before, during and after the election.
TICC also advised the APC to abandon violence and instead reflect on why, according to the council, many voters had rejected its campaign message.
As of the time of filing this report, the APC had not issued a direct response to TICC’s specific allegations.
However, in a separate statement on Tuesday, the Osun State chapter of the APC defended the decision of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Osun State chapter, to suspend the activities of transport unions in all public motor parks across the state.
In the statement signed by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, the APC described the suspension as a proactive measure aimed at curbing violence and preventing extra-judicial killings.
The opposition party commended ALGON, particularly its Vice Chairman, Honourable Lanre Balogun, for announcing the suspension, saying the action demonstrated the commitment of APC-controlled local government councils to protecting lives and property.
The APC, however, accused Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration of failing in its constitutional responsibility to guarantee the security of residents, alleging that the state government had allowed law and order to deteriorate.
The party further alleged that some individuals linked to violent activities were being protected by the state government and claimed that some officials of the suspended transport unions currently serve as political appointees in the Adeleke administration.
According to the APC, local government authorities had a constitutional duty to ensure that facilities under their control do not become centres of violence or criminal activities.
It also defended ALGON’s authority to suspend the operations of motor, tricycle and motorcycle unions in public parks, citing Paragraph 1(e) of the Fourth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which assigns local governments responsibility for the regulation of motor parks and the maintenance of public order.
The exchange of accusations comes amid heightened political activities and growing security concerns ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with stakeholders continuing to call for peaceful campaigns and restraint from political actors.
Neither of the allegations made by the two political camps has been independently verified, while security agencies had not issued an official statement on the latest claims as of the time this report was filed.
