Osun LG Elections: Thugs Attack APC Members During Campaign

Ahead of the February 22 local government elections in Osun State, the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised the alarm over an alleged violent attack on its members by suspected political thugs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during a campaign rally in Ilesa.

According to a statement issued by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, the attack occurred at the Igbogi area of Ilesa on Wednesday, leaving several APC members seriously wounded.

The party claimed that its chairmanship candidate for Ilesa West Local Government, Mr Tobiloba Famurewa, narrowly escaped being lynched by the hoodlums.

APC has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, and the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Muhammed Umar Abba, to swiftly intervene and ensure that the perpetrators of the violence are brought to book.

Olabisi, in the statement, recalled the violent history of electoral campaigns in Ijesaland, alleging that over 30 APC members and supporters were killed by suspected PDP thugs before the 2022 and 2023 elections.

The party further listed the names of individuals allegedly involved in the attack, urging security agencies to arrest, investigate, and prosecute them to serve as a deterrent to others.

The identified persons include Segun Adeyefa, Olaken Adewunmi Oluwajayogbe, Amokeoja Basit, Biodun (aka Obensin), Bidemi Adefidipe, Lekan Adefidipe, Basiru Omole, Lanre Abiola, Ojo Dada, Ayo Babatunde, and Igwe Alhaja.

APC questioned why PDP would resort to violence if it was truly confident of its popularity in Ijesaland and across Osun State.

While condemning the attack, the party urged its members to remain law-abiding and place trust in the statutory security agencies to handle the situation with professionalism.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful and issue-based campaigns ahead of the forthcoming local government elections.

The party, however, warned that any further provocation or attacks on its members would not be tolerated, calling on the police to take decisive action to prevent a repeat of such incidents.

Meanwhile, as at the press time of filing this report, the leadership of the PDP in the state is yet to respond to the allegations.