The Osun State Governorship Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Running Disu, to immediately arrest and investigate the Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate and Senator representing Osun West Senatorial District, Lere Oyewumi, over alleged involvement in the killing of APC members and the recent deaths at Naira and Kobo Junction in Ikire.
The Campaign Council alleged that the latest violent incident at the junction, in which two persons were killed, had heightened concerns over Oyewumi’s alleged involvement in political violence in the state.
In a statement issued on Friday evening by Oluremi Omowaye, Head of the Media and Publicity Committee of the Osun State APC Governorship Campaign Council, the council alleged that associates and thugs linked to Oyewumi disarmed a police officer on duty and used the officer’s rifle to fire shots during the incident.
The council said the development reinforced what it described as its longstanding concerns about the senator’s alleged role in political violence in Osun State.
It urged the police authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the culpability of all those involved.
The council also called for swift action by the police to prevent further escalation of political violence and protect residents ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
‘We are particularly concerned that the facts emerging from the investigation into the Ikire killings are consistent with the warnings our party has issued about the activities of violent political elements operating under the influence and protection of Senator Lere Oyewumi.
‘The confession of arrested suspects and the briefing by the Commissioner of Police have now brought the matter into sharper focus.
‘We therefore call on the IGP, Rilwan Disu, to immediately arrest and thoroughly investigate Senator Lere Oyewumi. His status as a serving senator must not confer immunity from criminal investigation where credible allegations have been made, ‘ the Council maintained.
The Campaign Council recalled that Senator Oyewumi had previously been accused of involvement in the killing of Hon. Remi Abass, a prominent APC chieftain and former Chairman of Irewole Local Government, was murdered within the premises of the Irewole Local Government Secretariat last year.
According to the Council, one of the disturbing issues requiring fresh investigation is the allegation that a rifle belonging to a security operative attached to Hon. Remi Abass was taken from the security agent on the day of the assassination and subsequently returned to a police station by Senator Oyewumi.
The Council also called for investigation into allegations that substantial sums of money were provided by Senator Oyewumi to security personnel to compromise the investigation into the murder of Hon. Remi Abass.
It recalled that Jide Joda, a loyalist and political appointee of the Governor, was arrested in connection with the murder, subsequently granted bail and has jumped bail, leading to his declaration as wanted by the Police.
‘It is strange that the police has not been able to arrest Jide Joda’, it said.
The Council further alleged that Ay?wo, who has been identified by suspects as the person who fired the shots that killed the two innocent citizens at Naira and Kobo Junction, has also been linked to previous incidents of political violence and assassinations in Osun State.
It said Ay?wo’s connection with the killing of Saheed Oyegunju, the Ward 9 Treasurer of the APC in Irewole, should also form part of the Police investigation.
The Campaign Council alleged that Senator Oyewumi had, over time, used his position and influence at the National Assembly to evade arrest and prosecution over allegations of political violence.
It, however, urged the IGP not to allow political office or parliamentary influence to obstruct the course of justice.
‘The IGP must act professionally, independently and in accordance with the law. Senator Lere Oyewumi is a senator, not a sacred cow. His membership of the National Assembly does not place him above the law.
The IGP must prove that there are no untouchable Nigerians when credible allegations of murder and violent crimes are involved.