The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, has condemned the escalating post-election violence in parts of the state, calling on the police and other security agencies to take decisive steps to restore peace.
Oyetola made the appeal in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser, Bolaji Akinola.
He described the attacks and loss of lives as a serious threat to the peace, heritage and democratic values of Osun, stressing that neither political ambition nor commercial interests could justify violence and the killing of residents.
“Politics must be a vehicle for development, not a catalyst for bloodshed,” he said.
The minister sympathised with the families of those who lost loved ones in the violence and urged the Osun State Police Command and other security agencies to intensify efforts to protect residents, particularly in areas affected by the unrest.
He called for the deployment of sufficient security personnel to volatile locations, the recovery of public spaces allegedly taken over by hoodlums and the swift arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the violence.
Oyetola also appealed to residents across the state to remain peaceful and exercise restraint, warning that Osun’s development and prosperity should not be jeopardised by political or commercial interests.
He reaffirmed his commitment to the peace, security and development of the state, urging residents to work collectively to preserve Osun’s reputation for civility, enterprise and democratic values.
The development followed allegations by the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress that Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration was aiding suspected hoodlums allegedly involved in Monday’s violent attacks in Ikire.
Speaking in Osogbo, the Chairman of the Osun APC Media Cluster, Oluwafunsho Fagbohungbe, alleged that the violence began when suspected hoodlums linked to the Accord Party attacked a motor park in an attempt to take control of it.
However, the Osun State Chairman of the Accord Party, Victor Akande, rejected the allegation and accused the Divisional Police Officer of the Irewole Division, Bamidele Olatona, of being responsible for the violence.
Akande claimed there had been no crisis at the motor park before the DPO allegedly opened fire, accusing him of acting without provocation and in an unprofessional manner.
