Bloodshed, Fear As Osun Heads To Governorship Election

15 killed, 27 arrested  |  Police to deploy over 17,000 officers

No fewer than 15 people have been killed, while 27 suspected political thugs and cultists have been arrested by the police ahead of the 15 August governorship election in Osun State.

Investigations by LEADERSHIP Weekend found that political tension has intensified ahead of the poll, following the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) freezing of the Osun State Government’s Federal Statutory Allocation Account over allegations of financial misconduct.

The anti-graft agency said the restriction followed ongoing investigations into the alleged mismanagement of about N11 billion, comprising Ecology Funds, Intervention Funds and allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

The Osun State Government, however, denied the allegation, describing the action as an attempt to justify an illegal decision based on unfounded claims.

Rather, the state alleged that the EFCC’s action was intended to frustrate the payment of palliatives that had been promised to civil servants.

The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Alimi, said the palliatives had already been paid, insisting there was no money left to loot.

However, in a dramatic turn of events, President Bola Tinubu on Thursday directed the EFCC to return to court and seek to vacate the order freezing the state’s bank accounts, saying the timing of the action could be interpreted as federal interference in the electoral process.

President Tinubu said he was “deeply embarrassed” by the timing of the EFCC’s action, noting that although the commission acted pursuant to a court order, actions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to the President.

The controversy has further heightened political tension in the state, where the campaign has already been marked by killings, attacks and allegations of politically motivated violence involving supporters of the major political parties.

Governor Ademola Adeleke is seeking a second term on the platform of the Accord Party, which he joined after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following its prolonged internal crisis.

His main challenger is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji.

While Adeleke enjoys support from workers, members of the Accord Party, factions of his former party, the PDP, and supporters who believe he has performed well during his more than three years in office, Oyebamiji is backed by the APC’s national leadership, former governor and Minister of Marine Economy Gboyega Oyetola, the Presidency, and the party’s supporters across the state.

His supporters argue that Adeleke has fallen short in project distribution, accountability and appointments, alleging that most appointments favour people from Ede, the governor’s hometown.

Those Killed

Among those reportedly killed in politically related violence are Remi Abass, Saheed Oyegun, Ezekiel Olapade, Aderogba Ajayi, Ismaila Ibrahim, Sheriff Oyewale, Muraina Olayiwola (alias Montana), Waheed (alias My Friend), Tajudeen Rabiu, Ismael Dudu, Kazeem Oyebamiji (alias Mosquito), Kasali Adebayo, Oladimeji Taiwo, Oloyede Damilare and Kolade Eluyera.

The Osun State Police Command confirmed the killings and also announced the arrest of 27 suspects over alleged political violence and cult-related activities.

Those Arrested By Security Agents

The suspects include Kareem Saheed (alias Tanfiani), Oyeladun Muideen (alias Akilapa), Rowan Ademola, Mukaila Azeez, Sunday Friday (alias Akube), Olamilekan Fatai, Tiamiyu Ismail, Famuyiwa Adekunle, Ajiboye Toheed, Morufi Sodiq and Folorunso Moshood.

Others are Hassan Sodiq, Badiru Saheed, Adegoke Olalekan, Faruk Olawale, Iyanuoluwa Sarumi, Afolabi Ahmed, Adesina Lukman, Mutiu Opeyemi, Olusola Daniel, Abiola Olabode, Azeez Abiodun, Babatunde Kehinde, Dada Mayowa, Musa Taoreed (alias Toyo), Musa Muritala Akande and Muri Akanni.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, assured residents of adequate security before, during and after the election, urging eligible voters to come out peacefully and exercise their civic rights.

Speaking through the Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, Gotan said the arrests were not targeted at any individual, group or political party but were part of ongoing professional operations to rid the state of criminal elements.

How My House Was Invaded By Hoodlums – Victim

LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that the latest attack involved two APC members in the Ede area, with one narrowly escaping death after sustaining severe machete cuts and a gunshot wound.

The victim, Abideen Oyetunde, was attacked in Sekona, Ede South Local Government Area, on Sunday evening by hoodlums he alleged were linked to the Accord Party.

According to reports, the attackers stormed his residence, macheted him and shot him before leaving him for dead.

A video circulated on Facebook on Monday showed doctors stitching a deep machete wound on Oyetunde’s head.

Recounting his ordeal in a video recorded at an undisclosed hospital in Ede, he said the attackers invaded his residence at about 6 p.m., armed with guns and machetes.

“They invaded my residence armed with dangerous weapons to kill me. When they spotted me, Abbey, popularly known as Monranmo, struck my head with a machete. At one point, I lost consciousness, and they probably believed I was already dead. I regained consciousness when I arrived at the hospital.”

“I saw Taofiki, popularly known as (name withheld) among others, whom I know to be notable members of the Accord Party,” he alleged.

A resident of the neighbourhood, identified as Tolani, said residents had continued to live in fear since the incident and that reports of stray bullets had heightened anxiety across the community.

She urged the police to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.

A second attack, which occurred later that night, involved Taofeek Akanbi, who was allegedly attacked by two suspected hoodlums identified as Kazeem Oriade and Wakeel Mojeed, popularly known as Doki.

Akanbi, who recently defected from the Accord Party to the APC, was reportedly attacked at Access Point Lounge and Bar in Odo Eja, Ede.

It was gathered that when the assailants failed to locate him, they allegedly attempted to set the premises ablaze, but staff members extinguished the fire before it caused extensive damage.

Following intelligence gathering, police arrested three suspects in connection with the incident.

Police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi said officers raided a criminal hideout around Ede Junction on 1 August, leading to the arrest of Musa Taoreed (alias Toyo), Musa Muritala Akande and Muri Akanni.

He said the suspects would remain in police custody pending investigation.

The Commissioner of Police also appealed to parents and guardians to caution their children and wards against unnecessary late-night movements, suspicious gatherings and association with people of questionable character.

Despite the recurring attacks, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged eligible voters to come out en masse on 15 August to vote for their preferred candidates.

Police Will Be Impartial In Osun —IG

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Olatunji Disu, says the police will be professional, apolitical and impartial before, during and after the election.

Disu made the pledge on Friday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), led by Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).

The CSOs had visited the I-G to deliberate on issues of election security ahead of the 25 August governorship election.

Disu said he was aware of the concerns expressed about election security, violence, voter intimidation, the activities of thugs, and the neutrality of security agencies.

“I want to assure Nigerians that the Nigeria Police Force has taken these concerns seriously and has put in place comprehensive security arrangements for the election.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains a professional, apolitical and impartial institution. We have no candidate, no political party and no vested interest in the outcome of the election other than ensuring that the lawful choice of the people prevails,” he said.

He said all police officers deployed on election duty had been reminded of their constitutional responsibility to uphold the law without fear or favour.

The I-G said the police would provide a secure environment for eligible voter to exercise their constitutional rights freely and without intimidation.

Disu said that adequate personnel and operational assets had been deployed across the state ahead of the election.

“We are working closely with other members of the InterAgency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), INEC and other relevant stakeholders to ensure effective coordination.

“Anyone found engaging in vote-buying, voter intimidation, ballot-box snatching, thuggery, or any other electoral offence will be dealt with in accordance with the law, irrespective of political affiliation or status,” he said.

Earlier, Rafsanjani said the visit was intended to foster collaboration with the Nigerian Police Force to provide election security and ensure free, fair, and credible elections in the country.

We Know Potential Hotspots – INEC

The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, LP, said the commission had identified flashpoints across the state and had worked closely with security agencies to protect voters, electoral personnel and sensitive materials.

He disclosed that 11 of the state’s 30 local government areas had been identified as potential hotspots.

They are Atakumosa East, Atakumosa West, Boripe, Ede North, Ede South, Ife Central, Ifedayo, Ila, Osogbo, Ifelodun and Oriade.

“These hotspot locations will receive specialised, high-visibility security deployments. Security forces have been issued strict operational directives to neutralise thuggery, cult activities and any attempt to disrupt voting, while maintaining absolute professional neutrality,” he said.

Political Parties Trade Blames

Political parties have blamed one another for the violence while calling for peaceful conduct before, during and after the election.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP Weekend, chairman of the National Rescue Party (NRP) in Osun State, Dr Gbenga Afeni, blamed the APC and Accord Party for the violence.

According to him, if both parties genuinely committed themselves to peace, political violence in the state would end.

However, the APC’s Director of Media and Publicity in Osun, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, denied the allegation and accused the Accord Party of orchestrating attacks.

“We aren’t the ones fomenting trouble. We are the victims of the Accord. Go and find out,” he said.

Olabisi added that many APC members had been attacked across the state and urged the Accord Party to embrace peace.

Responding, the Accord Party chairman in Osun, Pastor Victor Akande, blamed the APC for the violence.

“Osun people know that the APC and its candidate are prone to violence. In 2022, the governor lost over 40 members of his party to attacks by the Osun APC. Families of the 2022 victims are still in pain over the loss of their loved ones. To date, no investigation or prosecution has taken place,” he said.

The chairman of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) in Osun, Dr Tosin Odeyemi, attributed the violence largely to youth unemployment.

He urged security agencies to remain professional while calling on Nigerians to support political parties with practical solutions to unemployment.

The PDP chairman in the state, Hon. Sunday Bisi, also exonerated his party, accusing the APC of recruiting political thugs to intimidate opponents and voters.

He advocated the arrest and prosecution of political thugs as a deterrent while urging security agencies to remain impartial and professional.

Security Experts Recommend Way Forward

In his submission, security expert Mr Akin Olatunbosun emphasised the need for proactive intelligence gathering before, during and after elections.

He said preventing crime was more effective than reacting after violence had occurred.

According to him, politicians remain the major sponsors of political thuggery and must stop recruiting and financing hoodlums if elections are to be peaceful.

He warned that political violence would persist until political actors stopped arming and patronising thugs.

Retired police officer Chief Adunola Amao urged governments at all levels to tackle unemployment, arguing that many young people drift into crime because of frustration and a lack of opportunities.

He also called for the prompt prosecution of anyone found guilty of political violence to deter others.

Another security expert, Mallam Nasir Ibrahim, attributed part of the problem to poor parental guidance and the growing number of out-of-school children.

He urged governments to intensify efforts to reduce the number of children out of school, warning that many become vulnerable to criminal recruitment at an early age and later become hardened criminals.