The All Progressives Congress in Osun State has dissociated itself from the mayhem unleashed on innocent citizens of the state by some suspected political thugs, calling on heads of security agencies to stem the rising tide of political violence in the state ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Some innocent residents of Osogbo and Ede, were on Tuesday, shot by some rampaging armed political thugs. The state governor, Ademola Adeleke, who is the 2026 gubernatorial candidate of Accord Party, had accused the APC of sponsoring the attack.

Adeleke claimed that his predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola and flagbearer of the APC for the upcoming election, sent their thugs to perpetuate terror in the state.

Reacting to the allegations, notable figures in the APC, led by the Director-General of its 2026 Governorship Campaign Council, Oluwole Wole Oke, addressed journalists in Osogbo on Wednesday, and dismissed all Adeleke’s allegations.

Instead, Oke, who read the text of the press conference, accused Governor Adeleke of parading armed thugs in the state and making Osun ungovernable.

While advising the governor to “call his thugs to order”, Oke, a member of the House of Representatives, asked the Inspector General of Police, Director General of the Department of State Services, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps among others to intervene and stop political violence in the state.

The opposition party condemned what it termed as “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,” insisting that “Governor Ademola Adeleke must immediately call his political foot soldiers, janjaweed and thugs to order before they plunge Osun State into a deeper state of insecurity and make the state increasingly ungovernable.”

Referring to the clash at Owode-Ede, Oke claimed that “Governor Adeleke-branded buses were reportedly seen conveying questionable characters brandishing dangerous weapons and firing gunshots in public spaces. Available information suggests that the crisis stems from growing dissatisfaction with Alowonle’s leadership among members of the faction.

Unfortunately, innocent citizens have suffered injuries in the ensuing violence, while law-abiding residents continue to live in fear as criminal elements linked to the PDP and Accord Party turn parts of Osogbo into theatres of violence and lawlessness.

The Osun State APC commiserates with all innocent citizens who have lost loved ones, sustained injuries, or suffered the destruction of their property and personal belongings as a result of the violent disturbances recorded in Osogbo, Ife and other affected communities.

Our thoughts and prayers are with every victim and every family affected by these unfortunate incidents.”

He added, “We hereby appeal to the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and all other relevant security agencies to urgently stem the rising tide of political violence in Osun State.

We specifically call for a thorough investigation into the attack on the the destruction of APC campaign buses in Owode-Ede, attack on our member in Ile Ife and the violent disturbances witnessed across Osogbo yesterday.

Those found culpable, irrespective of their political affiliations or connections, should be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.”