Political violence seems not to be ending in Osun State ahead of the upcoming August 15 governorship election, as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Taofeek Mustapha, sustained a gunshot wounds after an attack by suspected political thugs in Osogbo on Saturday.
The incident, which occurred in the Oluode-Aranyin area, has heightened concerns as rival political camps clash across the state.
According to a local resident, Sola Hammed, the attackers arrived at the scene in an unmarked brown Sienna vehicle and suddenly began firing weapons into the air.
“We all scampered for safety to avoid stray bullets, and we suddenly heard someone crying for help but we didn’t look back at the moment”.
The victim, Mustapha, explained that he was targeted by the thugs because he was wearing a political cap associated with the APC candidate.
“I put on the AMBO crested cap when the shooting occurred,” Mustapha said. “Everyone ran to safety and they pursued me because I was wearing the APC candidate cap. I did not wait but was shot. I cried for help before they retrieved back into the vehicle and drove away”.
The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the shooting and stated that an official investigation has already commenced.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that ahead of the August 15 election, the police, alongside other security agencies and electoral stakeholders, convened a peace meeting to encourage political parties to commit to a peaceful campaign and election. However, the ruling Accord Party and the APC did not show up for the meeting.
