Gunmen suspected to have operated from a moving black Sports Utility Vehicle have killed Dele Ayegbo, a nephew of the Director-General of the Osun All Progressives Congress Governorship Campaign Council, Oluwole Oke, while two others sustained gunshot injuries in Esa Oke, Osun State.
Ayegbo was reportedly shot between 11pm on Wednesday and midnight on Thursday near his residence in the Idofin quarters of Esa Oke.
According to The Punch, two other people were also said to have sustained gunshot injuries during the attack and were taken to hospital.
Sources in the community identified Ayegbo as a nephew of Oke, prompting speculation that the incident could be politically motivated.
A media adviser to Oke, Sunday Omolebi, confirmed the killing while speaking with The Punch via WhatsApp.
“He was shot by a moving black Jeep while he was in his car. It was a move to weaken Hon Oluwole Oke, especially in his stronghold. This is heinous, and the security agencies will need to unearth this.”
The Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, was unavailable for immediate comment.
However, the Osun APC alleged that the attack was carried out by hoodlums working for the Accord Party.
The party’s spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, said Ayegbo was attacked at a road junction close to his home, adding that two APC members were shot during the incident.
“It was learnt that two of our members were shot by the political thugs during the incident and that while Ayegbo died instantly, the other victim was rushed to an undisclosed hospital in the town where he had been receiving treatment.
“The spate of the killings because of the re-election bid of Governor Adeleke is becoming unprecedented in the political history of the state and its record has shown that it has surpassed that of the 2022 governorship election, when no fewer than 30 members and supporters of our party were slaughtered like rams by the political thugs working for the PDP that has now metamorphosed to the Accord in Osun State.
“Ijesaland has been witnessing the highest percentage of political killings orchestrated by the state incumbent government, as 17 of the 30 of our members killed by the Accord thugs before the 2022 governorship election took place in Ijesaland,” he said.
The APC called on the police to investigate the killing and other attacks on its members, arguing that the violence could discourage voters from participating in the forthcoming governorship election.
“The killing of the nephew of our campaign Director-General in Esa-Oke is one death too many which must be urgently unravelled by the police in the interest of fairness and justice.
“The killing was callous, wicked, barbaric and inconsiderate as there should ideally not be a meeting point between violence and democratic dispensation,” it said.
Meanwhile, the APC governorship campaign council demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for Ayegbo’s death.
Speaking with journalists in Osogbo, the council’s Head of Media and Publicity, Remi Omowaiye, claimed that about 40 APC members had been killed in different parts of the state in recent weeks.
Omowaiye also alleged that suspected Accord supporters attacked APC members in Alarere village early Thursday.
“Yesterday (Wednesday), the nephew of the Director-General of our campaign council, Honourable Oluwole Oke, Ayegbo Oladale and Taiwo Oluwadele were shot around Honourable Oluwole Oke’s family compound in Esa-Oke.
“Unfortunately, we lost Ayegbo Oluwadele while Taiwo is still in a very critical condition.
“Just this morning again, an associate of Honourable Sanya Omirin and three others were attacked. They were shot.
“Those shots were Adebayo Dada’s own was severe. All members of the APC at Atakumasa East were shot at. Others were Idowu Laide, Ebuka Emmanuel, and Adebiyi Ebeneezer. They were APC members; they were shot at Alarere,” Omowaiye said.
He accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of attempting to portray himself as a victim and maintained that the number of APC members killed in recent weeks had risen significantly.
“As I speak, we have lost about 40 of our members, and nothing has been done to stop this.”
He further alleged that some recent killings in Ilesha involved a prisoner who had been released by the state government.
“A few days ago in Ilesha, it was alleged that one of the prisoners released by the government was responsible for the killing in Ilesha.
“We were preparing for a rally. There was supposed to be a final rally in Ijesa South, and five people were shot. Four of them died, while one is in critical condition at the Teaching Hospital. One of them is still in the ICU.
“And what was their offence? They were putting on APC caps. Well, one thing we want him to know is that he cannot escape the law, and the wrath of God will come upon Governor Adeleke for killing our people.”
The Osun Accord spokesperson, Oladele Bamiji, rejected the allegations, insisting that the party had no involvement in the violence.
“Our party is peaceful. We have been conducting our campaigns peacefully. There is nothing to warrant all these killings.
“This happened not long after a chieftain of the APC in the state declared war on Accord members. We urge the police to do their job and fish out the perpetrators.”
Governor Adeleke also condemned the Esa Oke killing and the destruction of property linked to the incident.
The governor expressed sympathy with the victims’ families and said he had directed security agencies to strengthen surveillance and security operations in Esa Oke and surrounding communities.
He also ordered a thorough investigation and called for those responsible to be arrested and prosecuted.
Adeleke attributed the incident to political incitement and urged politicians and their supporters across Ijesaland and Osun State to avoid actions capable of escalating tensions.
“We all have families and friends. We should not preach violence. Senator Fadahunsi issued a killing directive; the next day, somebody was killed at Esa Oke, his own zone,” the governor said.
He also commiserated with the families of more than 15 Accord members reportedly killed recently and alleged that homes belonging to Accord supporters in Ikire had been raided and vandalised.
“Aside from Esa Oke, over 20 homes of Accord members were raided last night at Ikire. Some were illegally arrested while houses of others were vandalised. This is not politics again.
“I challenge our opponents to let us fight through the ballot. Since we are practising democracy, we must allow our people to vote. My strength and that of my party is God and the people. We are winning on Saturday,” the governor said.
Adeleke appealed to residents of Esa Oke, Ijesaland and other parts of Osun State to reject violence and allow voters to participate freely in the governorship election.
