The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of misleading a visiting British Government delegation with what it described as false claims of political violence ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, in response to Governor Adeleke’s reported appeal to the British delegation to impose economic sanctions and visa restrictions on some APC leaders over alleged involvement in political violence.
The delegation, led by Senior Political Adviser Wale Adebajo, was in Osun State as part of engagements ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.
Rejecting the governor’s claims, the APC maintained that none of its leaders had been indicted by any court or commission of inquiry for sponsoring or encouraging political violence.
“Which court or commission of inquiry indicted the APC chieftains as being responsible for aiding and abetting political violence in Osun State ahead of the forthcoming governorship election?” the party queried.
The opposition party further alleged that Governor Adeleke failed to inform the British delegation about what it described as the harbouring of wanted political thugs within the Government House.
The APC also claimed that more than 30 of its members and supporters were killed before the 2022 governorship election, accusing the governor of omitting those incidents during his meeting with the visiting officials.
According to the party, some aides of the governor are currently standing trial over the killing of former Irewole Local Government Chairman, Remi Abass, arguing that the matter should also have been brought to the attention of the British delegation.
The statement further referenced the recent killing of four APC members in Ilesa, alleging that the attack was carried out by thugs linked to the Accord Party.
“We want to urge the visiting British Government delegation to disregard the accusations against our chieftains and members of aiding and abetting political violence in Osun State. Past events have shown that Governor Adeleke has been using lies, falsehoods and subterfuge to run his government,” the statement read.
The APC further accused Governor Adeleke of being responsible for the very offences he allegedly attributed to the opposition, as political activities intensify ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Governor Adeleke had earlier called on the British Government to consider imposing economic sanctions and visa bans on several political figures over alleged involvement in political violence. Those reportedly named include the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola; Osun East Senator Francis Fadahunsi; APC governorship candidate Bola Oyebamiji; and the Director-General of the APC Campaign Council, Wole Oke.
The governor’s allegations have continued to stir political debate in the state as parties prepare for the closely watched governorship election.
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