Osun Election: APC Alleges Assassination of Campaign DG’s Nephew

Tension has risen in Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election following an allegation by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that Dele Ayegbo, nephew of the party’s campaign Director-General, Wole Oke, was killed in Esa-Oke.

The APC Osun State chapter made the allegation in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi.

According to the party, Ayegbo was shot dead on Wednesday night near his residence in the Idofin area of Esa-Oke, in Obokun Local Government Area.

The party alleged that the attack was carried out by suspected hoodlums travelling in a vehicle.

Olabisi claimed that Ayegbo and another APC member were attacked, with Ayegbo reportedly dying at the scene while the second victim sustained gunshot injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

The APC condemned the reported killing and called on security agencies to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.

Olabisi also alleged that political violence had increased across the state ahead of the election, claiming that more than 30 APC members had been killed by political thugs since 2022.

He said Ijesaland had recorded the highest number of alleged fatalities, with the party putting the figure at 17.

The APC spokesman accused the state government of failing to adequately condemn previous attacks on its members. He also called on the Osun State Police Command to take urgent steps to prevent further violence before voters go to the polls.

According to him, the latest incident could be an attempt to frighten APC supporters and discourage them from participating in Saturday’s election.

The APC urged security agencies to provide adequate protection for voters and political party members as the state prepares for the August 15 governorship poll.

However, the allegation of the killing had not been independently confirmed at the time of the report.

Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Osun State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, had not responded to inquiries.

The alleged killing comes amid heightened political tension between the APC and supporters of incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking re-election under the Accord Party.

The rival camps have traded accusations of intimidation and violence in the build-up to the election, increasing concerns over the safety of voters and political actors across the state.