Adeleke condemns murder of PDP members during Osun council election

• Says killers feel untouchable, walk freely on streets
• Communal crisis: Osun monarch, indigenes lament delay in constituting panel

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has expressed deep sadness over the murder of two members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ilesa West Local Council of the state, Ismaila Ibrahim and Kasali Adebayo. He expressed worry that the killers of the two party members still walk along streets freely and feel untouchable.

The governor, however, called for calm, promising that every legal effort would be explored to get justice for the families of the slain politicians. Adeleke, in a statement by his spokesperson, yesterday, condemned the reprehensible attacks on PDP members allegedly by violent actors in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the past few days, describing killing for political control as barbaric and should be resisted by all and sundry in the interest of peace and stability.

He, however, commiserated with the immediate families of the deceased, the PDP family and everyone touched by their unfortunate passage, expressing dismay that the killers of Ismaila and Kasali still walk on the streets because they feel untouchable.

IN another development, the Owamiran of Esa-Oke, Oba Adeyemi Akanbi, has called on Adeleke to fulfil his promise of setting up a panel of inquiry to investigate the crisis that occurred in Esa-Oke on February 3, 2025.

The monarch, who spoke while addressing journalists in Esa-Oke, expressed concern over the delay in the panel’s inauguration, stating that the community is eager to present its case and seek justice over the recent deadly clash between the town and Ido-Ajegunle community over land dispute.

Oba Akanbi commended the governor for his prompt intervention, particularly his pledge to cover the medical expenses of those injured and to support those arrested. He, however, emphasised that the community remains expectant of the promised panel of inquiry, medical expenses and among others.

The monarch also alleged that Ido-Ajegunle had been installing solar-powered surveillance systems and CCTV cameras around the villages to monitor activities.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Esa-Oke Central Union, Bamigbeyi Aremu, has also raised concerns over the delay in implementing resolutions made by Adeleke following the crisis in the community.

He emphasised that the situation remains tense, alleging that Ido-Ajegunle, led by Baale Timileyin Ajayi, had been harassing the people who are farming on the land.