By Ismail Azeez
The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised fresh concerns over alleged attacks on its members, claiming that about 40 supporters have been killed in election-related violence across the state ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The party made the allegation while condemning the reported killing of Ayegbo Oladale, nephew to the Director-General of the APC Campaign Council, Oluwole Oke, in Esa-Oke.
Speaking on the alleged incidents, the Head of Media and Publicity for the APC Campaign Council, Engr. Remi Omowaiye, said Oladale and another party member, Taiwo Oluwadele, were allegedly shot around the family compound of Oluwole Oke in Esa-Oke.
He further alleged that an associate of Sanya Omeri and three other APC members were shot in Atakumasa East.
According to him, those attacked included Adebayo Dada, Idowu Laide, Ebuke Emmanuel, and Adebiyi Ebenezer.
Omowaiye noted that five people were shot during preparations for the party’s planned final campaign rally in Ilesa, with four of them reportedly killed, while another is receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of a teaching hospital.
He said, “It is sad that we are being killed while the governor is playing the victim card. As I speak, we have lost about 40 of our members, and nothing has been done to stop this.”
“A few days ago in Ilesa, it was alleged that one of the prisoners released by the government was responsible for the killing in the town.”
“We were preparing for a rally. There was supposed to be a final rally in the South, and five people were shot. Four of them died, while one is in critical condition at the teaching hospital. One of them is still in the ICU, and what was their offence? They were wearing APC caps.”
“Yesterday, the nephew of the Director-General of our campaign council, Honourable Oluwole Oke, Ayegbo Oladale and Taiwo Oluwadele were shot around Honourable Oluwole Oke’s family compound in Esa-Oke.”
“Unfortunately, we lost Ayegbo, while Taiwo is still in a very critical condition.”
“Just this morning again, an associate of Honourable Sanya Omeri and three others were attacked and shot. Adebayo Dada’s condition is severe. All of them were APC members, and they were shot at Alarere in Atakumasa East. The others were Idowu Laide, Ebuke Emmanuel, and Adebiyi Ebenezer.”
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Osun State Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the attack