Oyetola denies hand in Osun violence, demands justice for deceased teenager

Minister of Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola

• CSOs alert IGP on plan to foist unpopular candidate on Osun people using violence
• APC seeks arrest of suspects linked to political killings

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has dismissed the allegations by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, linking him to the recent violence in Osun State.

He, however, described the claims as malicious and politically motivated.

In a statement by his Special Adviser, Bolaji Akinola, Oyetola said the allegation was a desperate attempt to tarnish his reputation as a statesman with an unblemished record, never associated with violence or the sponsorship of thuggery.

Oyetola said the Speaker’s comments were reckless and unfounded, adding that they raised questions about his judgment.

He, however, urged the Speaker and Governor Ademola Adeleke to stop shielding criminal elements.

Meanwhile, the Network of Civil Society Groups in Osun State has expressed fear that worsening politically motivated violence may be a secret plan by some influential political actors in the state to impose an unpopular candidate on the Osun people as their governor.

The CSOs said that if the Osun Police Command is not restructured, the credibility, transparency and peace that stakeholders anticipate ahead of the August 15 governorship election may be elusive.

Also, the Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council has called on the IGP to ensure that all suspects linked to political killings in the state are apprehended and made to face the wrath of the law.

The campaign council gave the charge yesterday in a statement signed by the Head of its Media and Publicity Committee, Oluremi Omowaiye.

The Council also accused the Director-General of Imole Campaign Council, Lere Oyewumi, of attempts to shift public attention from past political killings of some APC chieftains in the state through an alleged planned protest over the recent killing of a 14-year-old boy, Ezekiel Olopade, in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Council of the state.