Osun LG election: APC, PDP trade accusations over violent attacks

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

A political rally in Ilesa, Osun State, turned violent on Wednesday, with both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accusing each other of orchestrating the attack.

The APC alleged that PDP thugs unleashed terror on its members, leaving many seriously wounded. The party stated that its chairmanship candidate for Ilesa West Local Government Area, Mr. Tobiloba Famurewa, narrowly escaped an attack.

However, the PDP accused the APC of using deceitful tactics to cover up its violent attack on PDP members, alleging that it was their rally that was attacked by APC thugs on Wednesday, leaving two PDP members critically injured.

In a statement, the Osun State APC Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the state Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Umar Abba, to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to book.

Olabisi said the incident, which left many APC members seriously wounded, occurred around the Igbogi area of the state during a campaign in preparation for the forthcoming local government elections.

“We are wondering what the reason is for the needless attack on our members during the campaign by PDP thugs, if the ruling party is truly popular in Ijesaland and across the state,” he said.

But the PDP, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Sunday Bisi, accused the APC of consistently manipulating the public into believing it is a victim when, in fact, it is the main instigator of violence in Osun’s political environment.

He said, “Contrary to the lies peddled by Kola Olabisi, it was the PDP that held a rally in Ilesa on Wednesday, not the APC. The APC held its rally on Tuesday in Ilesa, and we ensured that our members stayed away to preserve the peace of the town.

“But to our greatest shock, APC thugs, led by Mr. Tobiloba Famurewa, invaded the PDP rally on Wednesday, unleashing violence that disrupted the rally and forced our members to disperse in different directions in search of safety.

This was against the commitment Mr. Famurewa made before the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Ilesa West on Wednesday morning in the presence of our candidate, Hon. Ditti Aluko, as part of efforts to prevent violence and ensure peace.”

He urged the Police not to succumb to the APC’s theatrics and to take a firm stance against the anti-democratic elements that thrive on lies and confusion.