Political tensions escalated in Osun State on Tuesday as Gov. Ademola Adeleke and the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign council traded accusations over violent clashes that left several people injured ahead of the state’s governorship election.
The violence began in Ile-Ife during a campaign walk organized by the APC in support of its governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the Aug. 15 election.
The rally, which started around 9 a.m. in the Mayfair area of the town, was led by Rep. Abimbola Ajilesoro, who represents Ife Central, Ife East, Ife North and Ife South federal constituency in the House of Representatives.
Witnesses said the procession turned violent in the Sabo area after campaign posters belonging to a rival candidate were allegedly torn down, triggering clashes involving suspected political thugs.
A local trader identified as Usira said motorcycles were damaged and rival groups exchanged gunfire and attacked one another with machetes.
“The crisis started when some hoodlums tore campaign posters of a particular governorship candidate during the APC victory walk,” he said.
The violence later spread to parts of Osogbo, including Owode-Ede, Olaiya, Old Garage and Oke Fia, where residents reported hearing gunshots.
An elderly man was reportedly injured during the unrest in Owode-Ede and taken to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital in Osogbo. A commercial bus driver was also reportedly struck by a bullet in the Aregbesola area and transported to a hospital for treatment.
At Testing Ground in Osogbo, security personnel were deployed to a business premises owned by APC member Lawrence Dada, who alleged that soldiers looted property and arrested two of his employees.
Speaking after visiting injured victims at hospitals in Osogbo and Ede, Adeleke described the incidents as coordinated attacks carried out by supporters of the APC candidate.
“There were coordinated attacks on residents of Ile-Ife, Ede and Osogbo today by pro-AMBO political thugs,” the governor said, referring to Oyebamiji by his campaign acronym.
Adeleke alleged that the attackers traveled in a convoy of vehicles branded with campaign materials and criticized the police for failing to intervene.
He also accused Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Gboyega Oyetola and Oyebamiji of contributing to rising political tensions in the state.
The APC Campaign Council rejected the allegations and instead accused supporters of the governor of attacking its members.
In a statement signed by its media and publicity director, Remi Omowaiye, the council said several APC supporters were injured and campaign vehicles vandalized during the violence.
“Such brazen acts of violence have no place in a democratic society and should worry every well-meaning citizen of Osun State,” the statement said.
The APC further alleged that buses branded with Adeleke’s campaign materials were seen transporting armed individuals involved in the unrest.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) also blamed suspected APC supporters for the violence.
ADC spokesperson Oluwaseun Abosede alleged that armed men attacked the party’s campaign headquarters in Osogbo, firing gunshots before moving through several parts of the city.
“The hoodlums moved through Owode Ede, Olaiya Junction, Old Garage and other strategic locations within Osogbo, unleashing a reign of terror in broad daylight,” Abosede said.
Police said an investigation had been launched.
“We are aware of the incidents. We have already commenced investigation,” police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi said.
The violence comes as political parties intensify campaigns ahead of the Osun governorship election scheduled for Aug. 15.
