BREAKING: We Don’t Want Emergency Rule — Adeleke Laments As Thugs Rain Gunshots in Osun
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has warned against any attempts to place the state under a state of emergency following outbreaks of violence and gunshots in several areas.
The governor raised the alarm following reports that armed hoodlums, driving branded vehicles, shot sporadically across Osogbo, the state capital, as well as in Ile-Ife, Ede, Aisu, and Owode.
The violent disruptions resulted in at least one reported death and left several other residents injured, causing panic just ahead of the governorship election coming up in the state.
During an address at the Government House in Osogbo, Adeleke linked the attacks to political thugs, and accused the state’s commissioner of police of being uncooperative.
“The Commissioner of Police in Osun State is not cooperating with me. I’ve just been informed that APC thugs came out today and started shooting at people. I’ve told my people to calm down because we don’t want a state of emergency in Osun State.”
The governor accused supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, of coordinating the assaults. He alleged that the attackers traveled in a convoy of roughly 15 vehicles decorated with campaign materials for the opposition candidate, launching attacks at Akoda before moving to open fire at Aisu Junction.
Adeleke further alleged that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, and Oyebamiji were actively fostering an environment of political intimidation.
“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 several months, I have consistently appealed to our supporters and residents to remain peaceful despite repeated acts of aggression.”
He connected the latest shooting to an ongoing trend of political violence targeting opposition figures, pointing to the recent killing of an Accord Party youth leader in Ikire and the near-fatal shooting of the party’s chairman in Osogbo.
In light of the security threats, Adeleke called on the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services to step in. He also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and maintain the peace.
“Election is about the people. Voters should be allowed to make their choices freely in a peaceful atmosphere without fear, intimidation or bloodshed,” he said.
