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…Opposition Impersonating APC, My Campaign Not Linked To Criminality – Oyebamiji
LAGOS – Barrister Olalekan Festus Ojo, a Lagos-based human rights lawyer, has condemned the reign of terror being unleashed on the people of Osun State by suspected politically sponsored thugs.
Barrister Ojo, a strong advocate of social justice, and the Managing Partner, Platinum & Taylor Hill LP, one of Nigeria’s leading law firms, expressed anger over the brutal murder of Accord Party stalwart, Mr. Aderugba, a few days ago by suspected political thugs.
According to reports, Aderuba was whisked away by thugs suspected to have been sent by one of the chieftains of an opposition party, who claimed that their leader was inviting him to a particular location for a peace meeting.
But, when they got to a certain location, in the presence of their ‘leader’, the thugs reportedly killed him with gunshots and machetes.
Barrister Ojo, who spoke exclusively with Sunday Independent on Saturday, stated: “I rise with profound anger and deep sorrow to condemn in the strongest possible terms the reign of terror currently being unleashed upon the people of Osun State by suspected politically-sponsored thugs.
“The brutal murder of Accord Party stalwart, Mr. Aderugba, is not merely a political incident, it is a cold-blooded killing that demands justice, not condolences.
“Osun State has become a killing field. When citizens are murdered, maimed, and terrorised for their political beliefs, democracy itself is the casualty.
“The allegation that elements within the Osun State Police Command are complicit in this bloodshed is explosive and demands immediate federal intervention.
“I unreservedly support Governor Adeleke’s call for the Inspector General of Police to urgently redeploy the state Commissioner of Police. A police force that protects perpetrators instead of victims has forfeited its constitutional mandate.
“I call on the IGP, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the National Human Rights Commission to act immediately.
“I further demand that the DSS investigate the financing and coordination of this violence. To those sponsoring this carnage, no election is worth innocent blood. The law will find you.”
It would be recalled that an Accord Party local government chairman was recently attacked and grievously injured by armed political thugs, leading to his hospitalisation.
Also, billboards, party flags and properties belonging to the Accord Party were also recently destroyed by thugs allegedly dispatched by a major opposition party in the state.
Governor Adeleke, who is seeking a return for his second term, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Accord Party to pursue his second term vision.
Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2026 off-cycle election in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, has accused opposition elements of impersonating the party by branding vehicles in APC campaign colours to perpetrate criminal acts and tarnish his image.
Oyebamiji made the allegation on Friday while addressing journalists after observing the Jumat prayer with Muslim faithful at the Mallam Tope Central Mosque in Osogbo.
The APC governorship hopeful said reports suggesting that vehicles branded with his campaign materials were being used for criminal activities were the handiwork of desperate political opponents bent on discrediting him and undermining his growing support across the state.
He maintained that neither he nor his campaign organisation had any connection with criminality, stressing that he had always conducted his personal, professional and political affairs with integrity and respect for the rule of law.
“I have always lived as a law-abiding citizen and I will never depart from that path. Our campaign is founded on peace, decency and issue-based engagement, and we will continue to pursue our democratic aspirations without intimidation or resorting to unlawful acts,” he said.
Addressing the alleged impersonation, Oyebamiji said: “I also used the opportunity to address the disturbing reports of mischief by desperate elements who are branding vehicles with my campaign materials to perpetrate criminal acts and tarnish my name.
