Osun Accord Accuses APC Thugs Of Statewide Attacks, Many Injured, Palace Attacked, Houses Burnt

The Osun State Accord has said political thugs allegedly working for the All Progressives Congress (APC) launched coordinated attacks across the state, leaving several of its members injured and properties looted and burnt ahead of tomorrow’s governorship election.

In a statement issued on Friday, a copy obtained in Osogbo, the State Chairman of Accord, Pastor Victor Akande, alleged that heavily armed thugs carried out sporadic gun attacks in Obokun, Odo-Otin, Boripe, Irewole and several other local government areas.

The Accord said the violence has continued unabated for two days, with security agencies unable to contain it.

Providing details of the alleged attack, the statement said that at Iree in Boripe LGA, gun attacks took place through the night, with many Accord members injured and the palace of the Aree of Iree attacked from multiple directions.

“At Iree, the gun attacks took place all through the night, with many Accord members injured, while the palace of the Aree of Iree was attacked with multiple gun attacks from all corners. Five injuries were reported in the palace,” the statement read.

In Obokun LGA, the Accord said several houses were burnt at Esa-Oke. At Odo-Otin, it claimed over 20 members were receiving treatment for gunshot wounds after attacks in Okuku and other towns.

The party also alleged that in Ikire, Irewole LGA, the houses of 25 Accord members, including its campaign Director General, Senator Lere Oyewumi, were raided and vandalised, with family members molested.

The Accord further linked the APC House of Assembly candidate for Atakumosa East/West, Hon. Babatunde Komolafe Festus, who was reportedly arrested on Thursday by Navy personnel alongside some hoodlums, to the violence in Ifewara.

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“At Ifewara, the APC assembly candidate who was arrested and later released was reported to have coordinated sporadic attacks on the Accord members and their residences. Several injuries were reported. The military personnel who arrested the APC state assembly candidate and his gang members are reportedly suspended by the Naval Authorities,” the party stated.

The statement also alleged that in Osogbo, five top appointees of Governor Ademola Adeleke had been “pencilled down for attacks and arrest,” with a manhunt already launched for one of them.

Reacting to the rising violence, the state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, expressed condolences to families of those who lost their lives and announced plans for an inquiry after the election.

“Every life lost is an Osun life. Politics should never cost anyone their life, regardless of their political affiliation. The Government under my watch wishes to assure the people of Osun State that next Monday, immediately after the election, an Independent Commission of Inquiry will be constituted to investigate all reported killings and acts of violence connected with this election period.

“The Commission will establish the circumstances surrounding these incidents and recommend appropriate actions to ensure that everyone responsible is brought to justice, regardless of political affiliation, position or influence. The Government will also put in place a framework to support and compensate the families of those who lost their lives. The memories of all victims will be appropriately honoured,” the governor’s statement said.

Efforts to get the reaction of the APC proved abortive at the time of this report.