Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called for visa restrictions and economic sanctions against some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress in the state over alleged involvement in political violence ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Adeleke made the call during a meeting with a British diplomatic delegation in Osogbo, according to a statement issued on Monday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed.
The governor alleged that five members of the Accord Party had been killed, while 15 others sustained serious injuries in attacks allegedly carried out by suspected APC thugs since the commencement of campaigns for the 2026 governorship poll.
He urged security agencies to arrest both the perpetrators and their sponsors, insisting that those promoting political violence must face consequences.
“I believe we must have a deterrent against those promoting political violence. We seek visa ban against politicians sponsoring killings and violent attacks. We advocate for similar sanctions against security chiefs aiding and abetting such anti-democratic activities,” Adeleke said.
“Election is not about bloodshed. Osun deserves the peace and freedom to make their choice about who governs them. There must be consequences for those deliberately endangering the lives of our people for selfish political gains.”
The governor specifically referenced the recent killing of an Accord Party member in Ijebu-Jesa, describing it as part of a disturbing pattern of politically motivated attacks.
The British delegation, led by Senior Political Adviser Wale Adebajo, said it was in Osun as part of ongoing pre-election peace-building efforts.
Adebajo assured the governor that the British Government was committed to supporting a peaceful, credible and transparent electoral process.
“We will engage with all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful environment for the August 15 polls while encouraging free and fair elections,” he said.
However, the Osun APC dismissed Adeleke’s allegations, accusing the governor of misleading the British delegation and attempting to portray the opposition as violent.
In a statement signed by the party’s spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, the APC said no court or commission of inquiry had indicted any of its leaders or members for sponsoring political violence.
“If we may ask, which court or commission of inquiry indicted APC chieftains as being responsible for aiding and abetting political violence in Osun State ahead of the forthcoming governorship election?” Olabisi queried.
The party further alleged that Adeleke had been frustrating security agencies by shielding suspected political hoodlums within the Government House.
Olabisi also claimed that more than 30 APC members and supporters were killed by thugs allegedly linked to the Peoples Democratic Party before the 2022 governorship election.
He added that some aides of the governor were currently standing trial in Abuja over the killing of a former chairman of Irewole Local Government Area, Remi Abass.
“We want to inform the visiting British Government delegation to disregard the accusations against our chieftains and members. Past events have shown that Governor Adeleke has been using lies, falsehoods and subterfuge to run his government,” Olabisi said.
The exchange between the governor and the opposition party comes amid rising political tension in Osun as campaigns intensify ahead of the governorship election.
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