Ezekiel’s death: Adeleke visits family, says violence won’t decide Osun poll

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Monday visited the family of 14-year-old Ezekiel Olapade, who was killed on Sunday in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area of the state, demanding justice for the deceased.

The governor, who was accompanied by top government officials, expressed grief over the death of the teenager and sympathised with members of the bereaved family.

According to a statement signed by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke said no political ambition was worth the loss of innocent lives, stressing that violence should have no place in the state’s democratic process.

He affirmed that Osun people cannot be cowed by gunshots and declared that “we are not afraid as we remain resolute in our re-election bid. We are a courageous people; we cannot be silenced. We hold our heads high as we seek the support of our people. I wonder who is behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) strategy.

“You are attacking and maiming people you are seeking to govern. How is that a way to secure power? You killed the innocents whose votes you need. They are attacking the people, thinking that will give them the governorship. They cannot kill their way to power. Osun won’t be captured by brute force”.

The governor also visited the Osun State Teaching Hospital, where he condoled with John Mathew, who survived the attack in which the teenager lost his life, describing the incident as barbaric.

Adeleke said he had contacted police authorities and urged them to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the killing.

“We will not rest until justice prevails. Osun people will not bow to agents of violence. We will vote and, by God’s grace, I shall be re-elected,” the governor said.