Osun Election Tension: APC Alleges Killing of Campaign DG’s Nephew in Esa-Oke

Tension has risen in Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election after the All Progressives Congress, APC, alleged that Dele Ayegbo, nephew of its campaign Director-General, Wole Oke, was shot dead in Esa-Oke.

The APC said Ayegbo was killed on Wednesday night near his residence in the Idofin area of Esa-Oke, within Obokun Local Government Area. The party alleged that the attackers were suspected political hoodlums travelling in a vehicle.

Osun APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi said two party members were targeted during the attack. According to him, Ayegbo died at the scene, while the second victim suffered gunshot injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

The APC accused supporters of the Accord Party of carrying out the attack, but the allegation had not been independently verified at the time of publication. The party described the incident as another sign of the growing political tension ahead of Saturday’s poll.

Olabisi called on the police to investigate the killing and identify those responsible. He also claimed that more than 30 APC members had been killed by political thugs since 2022, alleging that 17 of those deaths occurred in Ijesaland.

The party further alleged that the latest attack was intended to frighten APC supporters and discourage them from participating in Saturday’s election. Olabisi urged the Osun State Police Command to act quickly to prevent further violence before voters head to the polls on August 15.

Efforts to obtain an official response from the Osun State Police Command were unsuccessful at the time of publication. Police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi had not responded to requests for comment on the alleged killing.

The incident comes amid an increasingly heated contest involving the APC and supporters of incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking re-election under the Accord Party. With the election only days away, the latest allegation is likely to intensify calls for tighter security and a peaceful vote across Osun State.