Gunmen
By Toyin Williams
Political tension seems to be literally brewing in Osun over the forthcoming governorship election as gunmen reportedly killed Kolade Eluyera, son of a chieftain of the Accord Party in Ikire, Osun State.
This much was confirmed by the Osun State Police Command who recovered his lifeless body in Ikire.
There are allegations and counter-allegations from rival campaign groups over the circumstances surrounding the death of Kolade Eluyera.
The police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the deceased was found with gunshot wounds and that investigations had commenced immediately.
“Investigation is on and the Commissioner of Police has deployed more men to the area. We are working with those who brought the corpse to get more information,” Ojelabi said.
The development has sparked political reactions, with the Imole Campaign Council, which is leading the re-election bid of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, calling for a full investigation into what it described as a politically motivated killing.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the campaign council alleged that the incident occurred late on Friday near Onireke Mosque in Ikire, claiming suspected thugs linked to the All Progressives Congress were responsible for the attack.
The allegation was, however, rejected by the opposition campaign structure under the Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji Governorship Election Campaign Council. Its co-chairman (Print), Media and Publicity Committee, Kola Olabisi, urged restraint and said security agencies should be allowed to complete their investigation.
Olajengbesi, nonetheless, insisted the killing followed repeated warnings to security agencies.
He said, “After several complaints, security reports, and intelligence alerts had earlier been lodged at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Ikire and the Office of the Area Commander concerning alleged kidnapping, abduction, violent intimidation, harassment, and coordinated attacks targeted at members of the Accord Party in Irewole Local Government, yet no visible, preventive, or decisive law enforcement action was taken to forestall the escalation of violence now culminating in the unfortunate loss of human life.
“What is unfolding in Osun State is becoming dangerously alarming, condemnable, and a direct threat to constitutional democracy, public peace, and political freedom,” he said.
He extended condolences to the family of the deceased and members of the Accord Party, while also raising concerns over what he described as slow security response to reported cases of political violence.
He added, “The people of Osun State have continued to openly identify with and support the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke because of its visible performance and people-oriented governance.”
Olajengbesi also called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services Department of State Services, and other security agencies to carry out an independent investigation into the killing.
Reacting, Kola Olabisi dismissed the allegations, describing them as false and politically motivated.
He said, “It is uncharitable, wicked and inhuman of the campaign committee wing of the re-election bid of Governor Ademola Adeleke to willingly embark on the threatening of the security of the state out of its desperation to sell their difficult candidate who has recorded abysmal failure in its close to four years in office.
“This deliberate act of misinformation to feed the innocent people of the state with falsehoods in order to gain unmerited political advantage by the failed administration of Governor Adeleke is now shaking the peace of the state to its foundation.
“Loading of the death of a young man, one Eluyera Kolade, an alleged son of the Accord Party women leader, in the Irewole Local Government Council Area of Osun State, on some members of our party by the Adeleke re-election campaign council was frivolous, fabricated and a ploy to call a dog a bad name in order to hang it as violence and brigandage have not been the hallmark of the APC at all its levels,” Olabisi said.
