Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District, Francis Fadahunsi, has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of allegedly importing political violence into the district ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The Nation recalls that Adeleke had called for Fadahunsi’s arrest over an alleged inciting remark against supporters of the Accord Party following the killing of 12 APC members in the state.
Reacting to the governor at a press conference in Osogbo on Wednesday, Fadahunsi alleged that more than 40 people had been killed in Osun East in the last year, accusing the state government of failing to prevent the violence.
He further claimed that 30 APC members had been killed within the last month, alleging that the attacks were intended to intimidate opposition supporters and discourage them from coming out to vote.
According to him, ‘Adeleke created terrorism from Ede into Osun East, the stronghold of APC, for us to be destabilised, so that people will not go out en masse to cast their votes.’
Fadahunsi, who chronicled several incidents of violence in Ijesaland, alleged that four people were killed while 16 others sustained gunshot injuries during a crisis over the control of local government administration.
He also accused some appointees of Adeleke and the governor’s political allies of being behind some of the incidents, alleging that the violence was linked to political interests in the area.
The senator’s allegations come amid heightened tension in Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, following reports of killings and clashes involving supporters of rival political parties.
He said, ‘In the last one year, over 40 people were killed in the district unchecked by either the police or the governor. Members of Amotekun Corps killed 4 people in Akinlalu while six others sustained gunshot wounds.’
Fadahunsi also alleged that some individuals with links to cult groups had been used to perpetrate violence in Ijesa land.
Fadahunsi said the situation had become worrisome ahead of the August 15 election, alleging that opposition supporters had been targeted.
He claimed that 12 APC members were killed within 24 hours in recent attacks, while several others sustained injuries.
‘Go to Wesley Guild, there are corpses everywhere. The former Speaker, Timothy Owoeye, and Remi Omowaiye are in hospital instead of planning for the election,’ he said.
He alleged that the violence was aimed at creating fear among voters in Osun East, while claiming that Ede, the governor’s home town, remained peaceful, saying ‘We observed that it is only Osun East that this governor from Ede is terrorising.’
‘Adeleke created terrorism from Ede into Osun East, the stronghold of APC for us to be destabilised, so that people will not go out en masse to cast their votes.’
Fadahunsi said he had led a protest to the palace of the Owa of Ijesaland to draw attention to what he described as politically motivated killings in the area.
He urged traditional rulers and security agencies to ensure that voters were not intimidated or prevented from exercising their franchise.
‘I want to urge the security agencies to ensure arrest of anyone who may want to prevent our people from coming out en masse,’ he said.
‘If they want to return to power by force, it is not possible. Let us do our election free and fair, not by introducing terrorism in my district to chase away the people,’ Fadahunsi said.
Fadahunsi urged residents of Osun East to remain resolute and participate in the election, assuring APC supporters that their votes would determine the outcome.
He said the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), would emerge victorious in the election.
‘By August 15, when all these have ended, let them be going around to be talking grammar where they feel. The people of Osun State have understood the game that they are devilish and they are ready to reject them. AMBO will win the governorship race,’ he said.