APC, Accord Trade Blame As Gunshots Disrupt Osun Campaign Rally
APC, Accord Trade Blame As Gunshots Disrupt Osun Campaign Rally
Tension heightened in Osun State on Saturday as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party traded accusations following a shooting that disrupted an APC campaign rally in Ilesa, leaving at least four people injured.
The incident occurred in the Oke-Omiru area of Ilesa when APC supporters gathered for an early-morning rally and began marching towards Isokun.
Among those reportedly hit by bullets were a boy, Adewale Akerele; Tobi Ilesanmi; Wasiu Aramide, identified as an APC member; and a truck driver simply identified as Mohammed.
The shooting sparked protests among APC supporters, who called for the arrest of the Chief Whip of the Osun State House of Assembly, Olawale Akerele, whom they accused of involvement in the attack.
The Accord Party, however, rejected the allegation and instead accused APC supporters of attacking its members.
The incident has further intensified political tension in the state ahead of the August 15 governorship election, in which Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party is seeking re-election against the APC candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, and other contenders.
Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson of the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, accused APC supporters of attacking Accord members.
But the Director of Media of the AMBO Campaign Organisation, Hon. Remi Omowaye, alleged that hoodlums, allegedly assisted by operatives of the Amotekun Corps, unleashed violence on APC supporters during the rally.
Speaking with journalists in Osogbo, Omowaye alleged that the Chief Whip of the state House of Assembly was the alleged arrowhead of the attack.
He further claimed that police officers at the scene were unable to stop the shooting while it lasted.
Omowaye said he personally facilitated the evacuation of an injured boy to Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, where the victim was receiving treatment at the time of the briefing.
Commissioner Arrested
The political tension deepened with the arrest of Osun State Commissioner for Environment, Mayowa Adejoorin, in connection with the incident.
The Accord Party called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to order Adejoorin's immediate release, insisting that the commissioner was being unjustly detained.
Olajengbesi said Adejoorin was arrested on the outskirts of Ilesa while travelling to Osogbo and appealed for his release alongside other persons allegedly detained over the incident.
The Osun State Police Command, however, confirmed the arrest, explaining that the commissioner was being questioned as part of investigations into the shooting.
The command's spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said police personnel immediately moved to the scene after receiving the report, cordoned off the area and recovered several exhibits, including expended cartridges and Amotekun personnel caps.
He said Adejoorin was arrested at the scene and taken to the command for questioning.
The commissioner's political aide, Adewuyi Kosemani, also confirmed his detention, saying Adejoorin had been arrested after attending a meeting in Ilesa and that his whereabouts were initially unknown.
Accord Raises Election Hacking Allegation
Amid the escalating political battle, the Accord Party accused the Osun APC of allegedly importing and harbouring individuals it described as election result hackers ahead of the governorship election.
In a statement signed by its state chairman, Pastor Victor Akande, the party alleged that the individuals were brought into Osun from Lagos and Abuja and had established an operational centre at GMT Hotel in Osogbo.
Akande alleged that the purported hackers were planning to compromise the Independent National Electoral Commission's electronic system and manipulate the governorship election results.
The party called on security agencies to investigate the allegation and raid the purported operational centres, while urging INEC to strengthen the security of its digital infrastructure.
Accord also accused the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, of allegedly enabling attacks against its leaders and members.
The Chairman of the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee of its campaign council, Bamidele Salam, alleged that Gotan held a clandestine meeting with some APC leaders to plan attacks against Accord officials.
The party claimed that Senator Francis Fadahunsi, Wole Oke, Remi Omowaye and two other APC leaders attended the alleged meeting.
It further accused the police commissioner of operating a parallel police structure and deploying officers alongside suspected APC thugs to attack Accord offices and residences in Ijeshaland.
APC Dismisses Allegations
The APC and Senator Fadahunsi dismissed the allegations, describing them as baseless.
The APC spokesman, Chief Kola Olabisi, insisted that the party remained law-abiding and had no plan to manipulate the election.
“Nobody is harbouring any hacker anywhere. We are a law-abiding party. The APC isn't planning to rig this election because we are popular in the state,” he said.
Fadahunsi also dismissed the allegation as the “ranting of a losing party.”
“Ignore them. We are focused on winning the election,” he said.
Police Broker Peace Deal
In a bid to prevent further clashes, the Osun State Police Command has brokered an agreement between the Accord Party and APC over the dates and venues of their final campaign rallies.
The agreement was reached at a strategic meeting convened by the Commissioner of Police (Elections), CP Samuel Erale Etaifo, with representatives of both parties.
According to a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the meeting ended in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and cooperation.
Under the agreement, Accord will hold its final campaign rally on Wednesday, August 12, at Fakunle, while the APC will stage its final rally on Thursday, August 13, at Freedom Park, Osogbo.
The police said the arrangement was designed to prevent clashes between supporters of the rival parties and maintain peace ahead of the election.
Etaifo urged political parties and candidates to caution their supporters against violence, intimidation, thuggery and inflammatory statements.
He warned that anyone found engaging in activities capable of disrupting public peace would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The police commissioner also assured political parties and residents that the Nigeria Police Force would remain neutral and provide adequate security for all lawful political activities.
EFCC Unfreezes Osun Government Accounts
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has lifted the restriction placed on three Osun State Government bank accounts following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The development followed controversy over the commission's decision to restrict transactions on the accounts as part of an investigation into alleged diversion of public funds and money laundering.
The EFCC had, in a letter dated August 5, 2026, directed the affected banks to place a Post-No-Debit restriction on the accounts.
The commission subsequently obtained an ex parte order from the Federal High Court in Abuja authorising the freezing of the accounts pending the conclusion of its investigation and possible prosecution.
The order, issued by Justice M.G. Umar in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1750/2026, covered the Osun State Government Federal Allocation Account domiciled with First Bank and two Osun State Joint Allocation Accounts with Zenith Bank.
The freezing of the accounts generated political controversy as the governorship election drew closer, with stakeholders expressing concern that the action could disrupt government operations and further heighten tension in the state.
President Tinubu subsequently directed the EFCC to unfreeze the accounts.
Sources within the Osun State Government and the commission confirmed that the directive was implemented immediately.
A state government source said the accounts were activated “almost immediately” after the presidential directive.
A senior EFCC source in Abuja also confirmed that the commission complied with the directive, stressing, however, that the original restriction had been backed by a valid court order.
The source said the commission had obtained the necessary legal authorisation before freezing the accounts because of the sensitivity of the matter.
The unfreezing of the accounts is expected to ease some of the tension surrounding the election, even as the APC and Accord intensify their campaigns ahead of the August 15 governorship poll.
Tension heightened in Osun State on Saturday as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party traded accusations following a shooting that disrupted an APC campaign rally in Ilesa, leaving at least four people injured.
The incident occurred in the Oke-Omiru area of Ilesa when APC supporters gathered for an early-morning rally and began marching towards Isokun.
Among those reportedly hit by bullets were a boy, Adewale Akerele; Tobi Ilesanmi; Wasiu Aramide, identified as an APC member; and a truck driver simply identified as Mohammed.
The shooting sparked protests among APC supporters, who called for the arrest of the Chief Whip of the Osun State House of Assembly, Olawale Akerele, whom they accused of involvement in the attack.
The Accord Party, however, rejected the allegation and instead accused APC supporters of attacking its members.
The incident has further intensified political tension in the state ahead of the August 15 governorship election, in which Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party is seeking re-election against the APC candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, and other contenders.
Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson of the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, accused APC supporters of attacking Accord members.
But the Director of Media of the AMBO Campaign Organisation, Hon. Remi Omowaye, alleged that hoodlums, allegedly assisted by operatives of the Amotekun Corps, unleashed violence on APC supporters during the rally.
Speaking with journalists in Osogbo, Omowaye alleged that the Chief Whip of the state House of Assembly was the alleged arrowhead of the attack.
He further claimed that police officers at the scene were unable to stop the shooting while it lasted.
Omowaye said he personally facilitated the evacuation of an injured boy to Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, where the victim was receiving treatment at the time of the briefing.
Commissioner Arrested
The political tension deepened with the arrest of Osun State Commissioner for Environment, Mayowa Adejoorin, in connection with the incident.
The Accord Party called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to order Adejoorin's immediate release, insisting that the commissioner was being unjustly detained.
Olajengbesi said Adejoorin was arrested on the outskirts of Ilesa while travelling to Osogbo and appealed for his release alongside other persons allegedly detained over the incident.
The Osun State Police Command, however, confirmed the arrest, explaining that the commissioner was being questioned as part of investigations into the shooting.
The command's spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said police personnel immediately moved to the scene after receiving the report, cordoned off the area and recovered several exhibits, including expended cartridges and Amotekun personnel caps.
He said Adejoorin was arrested at the scene and taken to the command for questioning.
The commissioner's political aide, Adewuyi Kosemani, also confirmed his detention, saying Adejoorin had been arrested after attending a meeting in Ilesa and that his whereabouts were initially unknown.
Accord Raises Election Hacking Allegation
Amid the escalating political battle, the Accord Party accused the Osun APC of allegedly importing and harbouring individuals it described as election result hackers ahead of the governorship election.
In a statement signed by its state chairman, Pastor Victor Akande, the party alleged that the individuals were brought into Osun from Lagos and Abuja and had established an operational centre at GMT Hotel in Osogbo.
Akande alleged that the purported hackers were planning to compromise the Independent National Electoral Commission's electronic system and manipulate the governorship election results.
The party called on security agencies to investigate the allegation and raid the purported operational centres, while urging INEC to strengthen the security of its digital infrastructure.
Accord also accused the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, of allegedly enabling attacks against its leaders and members.
The Chairman of the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee of its campaign council, Bamidele Salam, alleged that Gotan held a clandestine meeting with some APC leaders to plan attacks against Accord officials.
The party claimed that Senator Francis Fadahunsi, Wole Oke, Remi Omowaye and two other APC leaders attended the alleged meeting.
It further accused the police commissioner of operating a parallel police structure and deploying officers alongside suspected APC thugs to attack Accord offices and residences in Ijeshaland.
APC Dismisses Allegations
The APC and Senator Fadahunsi dismissed the allegations, describing them as baseless.
The APC spokesman, Chief Kola Olabisi, insisted that the party remained law-abiding and had no plan to manipulate the election.
“Nobody is harbouring any hacker anywhere. We are a law-abiding party. The APC isn't planning to rig this election because we are popular in the state,” he said.
Fadahunsi also dismissed the allegation as the “ranting of a losing party.”
“Ignore them. We are focused on winning the election,” he said.
Police Broker Peace Deal
In a bid to prevent further clashes, the Osun State Police Command has brokered an agreement between the Accord Party and APC over the dates and venues of their final campaign rallies.
The agreement was reached at a strategic meeting convened by the Commissioner of Police (Elections), CP Samuel Erale Etaifo, with representatives of both parties.
According to a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the meeting ended in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and cooperation.
Under the agreement, Accord will hold its final campaign rally on Wednesday, August 12, at Fakunle, while the APC will stage its final rally on Thursday, August 13, at Freedom Park, Osogbo.
The police said the arrangement was designed to prevent clashes between supporters of the rival parties and maintain peace ahead of the election.
Etaifo urged political parties and candidates to caution their supporters against violence, intimidation, thuggery and inflammatory statements.
He warned that anyone found engaging in activities capable of disrupting public peace would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The police commissioner also assured political parties and residents that the Nigeria Police Force would remain neutral and provide adequate security for all lawful political activities.
EFCC Unfreezes Osun Government Accounts
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has lifted the restriction placed on three Osun State Government bank accounts following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The development followed controversy over the commission's decision to restrict transactions on the accounts as part of an investigation into alleged diversion of public funds and money laundering.
The EFCC had, in a letter dated August 5, 2026, directed the affected banks to place a Post-No-Debit restriction on the accounts.
The commission subsequently obtained an ex parte order from the Federal High Court in Abuja authorising the freezing of the accounts pending the conclusion of its investigation and possible prosecution.
The order, issued by Justice M.G. Umar in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1750/2026, covered the Osun State Government Federal Allocation Account domiciled with First Bank and two Osun State Joint Allocation Accounts with Zenith Bank.
The freezing of the accounts generated political controversy as the governorship election drew closer, with stakeholders expressing concern that the action could disrupt government operations and further heighten tension in the state.
President Tinubu subsequently directed the EFCC to unfreeze the accounts.
Sources within the Osun State Government and the commission confirmed that the directive was implemented immediately.
A state government source said the accounts were activated “almost immediately” after the presidential directive.
A senior EFCC source in Abuja also confirmed that the commission complied with the directive, stressing, however, that the original restriction had been backed by a valid court order.
The source said the commission had obtained the necessary legal authorisation before freezing the accounts because of the sensitivity of the matter.
The unfreezing of the accounts is expected to ease some of the tension surrounding the election, even as the APC and Accord intensify their campaigns ahead of the August 15 governorship poll.
