Political tension escalated in Osun State on Wednesday after an Accord Party supporter was shot dead in Esa Oke while an APC campaign procession in Ede turned tragic as a truck rammed into party members, killing one person and injuring seven others, less than two months before the August 15 governorship election.
The twin incidents have heightened concerns over security in the state as campaigns intensify ahead of the poll, which will see incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of Accord seek re-election against the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, African Democratic Congress candidate Najeem Salam, Allied People’s Movement candidate Adewale Adebayo and others.
In Obokun Local Government Area, a resident of Esa Oke, Ajayi Aderogba, was reportedly shot dead on Tuesday evening by yet-to-be-identified gunmen, triggering protests in the community as residents lamented the rising political tension.
The circumstances surrounding the killing remained unclear as of the time of filing this report, while the Osun State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement.
The command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, could not be reached on his mobile phone and was said to be attending a meeting at the command headquarters in Osogbo.
