Political tension in Osun State escalated on Wednesday as two separate incidents claimed lives amid intensified campaigns ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
An Accord Party supporter, Ajayi Aderogba (also known as Rogba), was shot dead on Tuesday evening in Esa Oke, Obokun Local Government Area, while an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign procession in Ede was hit by a truck, killing one party member and injuring seven others.
Aderogba was killed by unidentified gunmen while preparations were underway for a campaign rally in support of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid. The incident triggered protests in the community, with residents expressing concerns over rising political violence.
The spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, accused Hon. Oluwole Oke, a member of the House of Representatives and Director-General of the Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council, of sponsoring the attack.
In a Facebook statement, Olajengbesi described Aderogba as a dedicated supporter of Governor Adeleke who was actively involved in the rally preparations.
However, Oke strongly denied the allegation through his Senior Media Aide, Tunde Omolebi-Sunday, describing the claims as misleading and irresponsible. He called for a thorough investigation by security agencies and suggested the incident might be linked to rival group clashes or reprisal attacks. Oke also noted prior concerns about the deceased’s alleged involvement in cult-related issues.
In a separate tragedy in Ede, APC campaigner AbdulRasaq Ahmed was killed when a truck rammed into a street campaign procession organised to mobilise support for the party’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. The accident occurred around the Oke Gada area.
Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of the Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji Campaign Committee, Remi Omowaiye, confirmed that seven others sustained injuries, with one in critical condition. They are receiving treatment at hospitals in Ofatedo and Ede.
An eyewitness alleged that the truck driver ignored traffic directives from Federal Road Safety Corps officials who were managing movement during the campaign.APC Deputy Governorship candidate, Benjamin Adereti, who visited the deceased’s family, described the incident as suspicious and called for a full investigation.
He commiserated with the family while assuring that the campaign would continue undeterred.The twin incidents have heightened security concerns in Osun State as political parties ramp up activities less than two months to the governorship poll, where incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke (Accord) is seeking re-election against APC’s Bola Oyebamiji and other candidates.
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