As the political tension rises in Osun ahead August 15 governorship poll, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council and The Imole Campaign Council (TICC), on Wednesday bickered over Tuesday’s gunmen attacks on some towns in the state, namely Osogbo, Ede, Aisu and Ile-Ife.

The duo accused each other of masterminding the violent incidents which caused panic in the affected communities as political thugs engaged in a shooting spree, leading to the injuries of innocent residents.

Addressing a press conference at Ileri Oluwa House, located along Gbongan-Ibadan expressway, the Director-General of APC Campaign Council, Honourable Wole Oke, urged Governor Ademola Adeleke, to call his political foot soldiers to order with a view to avoid plunging the state into a deeper state of insecurity and chaos.

According to him, “the Osun State chapter of APC condemns in the strongest possible terms the growing culture of intimidation, harassment, brigandage and violence being perpetrated by criminal elements acting under the influence and protection of the ruling party in the state.

“Only yesterday, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, campaign buses belonging to the APC were attacked and vandalized by suspected PDP/Accord hoodlums in the Owode-Ede area. The attack left several AMBO supporters injured while campaign materials and other valuable property were destroyed, “Oke stated.

Describing such acts of violence as undemocratic, the lawmaker, who currently represents Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, contended that “the recurrence of violent incidents in Osun raises serious concerns about the activities of criminal elements who appear emboldened by the absence of firm action from those in authority.”

“We urge the international community, election observers, civil society organisations and defenders of democracy to pay close attention to developments in Osun State and hold accountable all those who seek to undermine democratic values through violence, intimidation and political persecution, “Oke averred.

Reacting to the position of the ACP Campaign Council, The Imole Campaign Council (TICC), in a statement by its chairman, media and publicity committee, Honourable Bamidele Salam, argued that the people cannot be hoodwinked by APC’s strategy of perpetrating violence and accusing the ruling Accord Party of such dastardly act.

He stated, “The people of Osun State have now become familiar with the APC’s latest strategy: unleash violence on innocent citizens, sponsor attacks against political opponents, and thereafter rush to the press with concocted stories aimed at portraying themselves as victims. This dangerous pattern has become predictable and must not be allowed to deceive the public.

“The whole world should take note that virtually all the victims of recent politically-motivated violence in Osun State have been members and supporters of the Accord Party and its allies. Only a few weeks ago, Mr. Kolade Eluyera, an Accord member in Irewole local government was brutally murdered in cold blood.

“On June 3, 2026, the Chairman of the Accord in Osogbo Local Government, Hon Asimiyu Ajibola, was shot multiple times by the Apc armed assailants and has remained hospitalized while battling for his life.

“Similarly, during the violent invasion of local government councils in 2025 by APC-sponsored thugs, Mr Ismaila Ibrahim and Hon Kasali Adebayo lost their lives in Ilesa. In Boripe Local Government, Oladimeji Taiwo and Oloyede Damilare were murdered during another APC-led violent attack on public institutions.These are not mere allegations. They are tragic realities that have left families devastated and communities traumatized, “Salam posited.