Political tensions in Osun State intensified on Wednesday as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Imole Campaign Council exchanged bitter accusations following two separate tragedies: the death of a political supporter in a road accident and the killing of a teenage boy earlier in the week .
The Ede Rally Accident
A street campaign procession organized by the APC in support of its governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, turned deadly when a truck rammed into supporters in Ede. The deceased was identified as AbdulRasaq Ahmed, with seven others injured—one critically .
Eyewitness Accounts: Sources claimed the truck driver ignored traffic directives from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who had instructed vehicles to use one lane while campaign participants used the other . The driver allegedly drove through the lane occupied by the APC supporters .
APC's Response: The party's running mate, Benjamin Adereti, visited the bereaved family and called for a thorough investigation. He suggested the incident may have been deliberate, stating, "If this is a deliberate action by Ademola Adeleke and the Accord Party to stop us from forging ahead with our campaign, I can assure them we are unstoppable" .
The Ilobu Teenager's Death
Separately, the killing of 14-year-old Ezekiel Olapade in Ilobu on Sunday has sparked a war of words . The teenager was reportedly shot near the Irepodun Local Government Secretariat while trying to rescue his mother during a violent attack .
The Allegations: The deceased's father, Gbenga Olapade, alleged that armed men led by one Saheed Kareem (aka "Tanfeani") opened fire near his wife's palm wine bar. He claimed police operatives at the scene watched without intervening .
Cross-Accusations:
· The APC criticized Governor Adeleke's condolence visit to the family, accusing him of turning it into a "campaign ground" and making "political capital from the gruesome killing"
· The APC also faulted Adeleke for allegedly naming the opposition as responsible before police investigations concluded
· The Imole Campaign Council dismissed these allegations, accusing the APC of exploiting the tragedy for political gain
Calls for Justice
Both sides have demanded thorough police investigations . The Imole Campaign Council urged security agencies to ensure equal protection for all citizens regardless of political affiliation and warned against selective enforcement of the law .
The APC insisted violence was "not part of the ideology of the party" and emphasized that "the political ambition of any individual is not worth the blood of any person" .
As of press time, the Osun State Police Command had not issued an official statement on either incident .
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