The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), has raised concerns over security and alleged political violence in the state ahead of the August 15 governorship election, urging the international community to take note of the prevailing situation.
Oyebamiji spoke on Tuesday while receiving a delegation from the British High Commission, led by Senior Political Advisers Mr Wale Adedapo as part of the Commission’s ongoing consultations with key stakeholders ahead of the election.
The British officials said the visit formed part of their pre-election assessment, noting that they had also met with the Osun State Commissioner of Police, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), civil society organisations and other stakeholders. According to them, the consultations are aimed at assessing election preparedness, security concerns and other issues that will form part of a report to the British High Commission.
Addressing the delegation, Oyebamiji commended the British High Commission for strengthening diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, particularly in the areas of governance, trade, education, healthcare, security and economic development.
The APC standard bearer reiterated his party’s commitment to peaceful democratic participation but alleged that its members had been victims of politically motivated attacks across the state.
According to him, several APC members were killed in separate incidents between 2022 and 2026 in communities including Ikire, Ilesa, Iwo, Osogbo and Ede, alleging that those responsible had not been brought to justice despite reports made to security agencies.
Oyebamiji also recalled the killing of the Chairman of Irewole Local Government, Hon. Remi Abass, describing the incident as unfortunate and calling for those behind the attack to be prosecuted.
While expressing confidence in the professionalism of the nation’s security agencies, he urged them to carry out thorough and impartial investigations into all reported cases of political violence. He also appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the conduct of a free, fair and credible governorship election.
Earlier, former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Adebayo Adeleke, popularly known as Banik, alleged that the APC had lost more than 20 members to political violence since 2022.
He claimed that some of the attacks were perpetrated by supporters and appointees of the state government, while alleging that police commissioners posted to Osun State often faced pressure whenever they carried out their duties independently.
Banik further alleged that suspects linked to the killing of Hon. Remi Abass, including a wanted aide to Governor Ademola Adeleke, Mr Jide Jooda, had yet to be arrested or prosecuted.
He also accused the Osun State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun Corps, of being used to intimidate political opponents instead of protecting residents, alleging that the current administration had failed to guarantee the safety of lives and property.
The APC chieftain called on security agencies to ensure that all those responsible for the alleged killings are brought to justice, stressing that accountability is essential to guaranteeing a peaceful and credible governorship election in the state.
InsightMedia recalls that the British delegation had earlier met with Governor Ademola Adeleke on Monday at the Government House.
Adeleke, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, called on the British authorities to impose a visa ban on some APC leaders in the state over alleged acts capable of undermining the forthcoming governorship election.
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