Osun Election Tensions Escalate as APC, Adeleke Campaign Council Clash Over Death and Rally Accident

Political tensions in Osun State have deepened ahead of the governorship election, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Imole Campaign Council trading accusations over two separate incidents that left one person dead and several others injured.

The latest dispute follows the killing of an Accord Party member, Ajayi Aderogba, popularly known as Rogba, in Esa-Oke, Obokun Local Government Area, and a road accident involving APC supporters travelling to a political rally in Ede.

The controversy began after the spokesperson of the Adeleke Campaign Organisation and Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, accused APC leaders of attempting to disrupt a political gathering held in support of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s second-term ambition. The council further alleged that a member of the House of Representatives and Director-General of the Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council, Oluwole Oke, had links to the incident that resulted in Aderogba’s death.

Oke swiftly rejected the allegations through his media aide, Tunde Omolebi-Sunday, describing the claims as unfounded, reckless and unsupported by any official investigation. He maintained that neither he nor the APC had any connection to the killing and urged security agencies to conduct a thorough and impartial probe into the matter.

The lawmaker also expressed sympathy to the family of the deceased and called on political actors across the state to avoid inflammatory statements that could interfere with ongoing investigations. He stressed that conclusions should not be drawn until security agencies establish the facts surrounding the incident.

Meanwhile, another tragedy struck on Wednesday when a truck reportedly suffered brake failure and crashed into a procession of APC supporters travelling to a political rally in Ede. The accident claimed one life and left several others injured, according to reports.

Reacting to the development, the Imole Campaign Council expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished those receiving treatment a speedy recovery. The council described the incident as heartbreaking and prayed against a recurrence of such tragedies during the election season.

However, the council also criticised the APC campaign organisation, alleging that political activities continued despite the loss of lives. It further referenced earlier allegations relating to the death of the Accord Party member in Esa-Oke, intensifying the war of words between both political camps.

With the governorship election drawing closer, observers have raised concerns over the increasingly heated political atmosphere in the state. Many have called on political parties, supporters and security agencies to ensure campaigns remain peaceful and that investigations into both incidents are handled transparently.