The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has praised the Nigeria Police Force for thwarting an alleged Osun assassination attempt targeting the Director-General of its Governorship Campaign Council, Wole Oke. The party described the operation as a major step towards maintaining security ahead of the state’s governorship election.
The commendation followed the parade of three suspects by the Osun State Police Command on Thursday over the alleged plot to kill Oke in Ipetu Ijesa. The suspects identified by the police are disc jockey Olalekan Oriyomi, Ayotunde Ikupolati, 44, and Femi Fakinleye, 31. Police also disclosed that an English Beretta pistol loaded with four rounds of live ammunition was recovered from one of the suspects during the operation.
In a statement signed by the party’s Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Olabisi, the APC applauded the police for what it described as a proactive effort to rid Osun State of criminal elements. The party stated that the successful intervention prevented what could have resulted in another period of mourning in the state.
According to the statement: “Had it been the suspected assassins who succeeded, the state would have been thrown into another mourning session, which the lying merchants in the state would have loaded its causes on our party without waiting for the police investigation.”
The party expressed confidence that investigators would conduct a thorough probe into the alleged Osun assassination attempt and ensure that everyone connected to the incident is identified and prosecuted.
The APC also questioned the state of political violence in Osun, asking whether the pursuit of political office should result in bloodshed.
The party stated: “Should the whole state be turned into a killing field because of the re-election bid of a governor who has been outrightly rejected by the people because of his unenviable poor performance in the past three years?”
It further questioned whether force should be used to retain political power despite what it described as growing public dissatisfaction.
The opposition party expressed disappointment that Governor Ademola Adeleke and the state chairman of the ruling Accord Party, Victor Akande, had not publicly condemned the incident several days after it occurred. While applauding the police, the APC urged security agencies to intensify efforts against political violence by investigating influential individuals allegedly mentioned during the suspects’ interrogation.
The party also encouraged its members to continue lawful political activities and campaign peacefully for its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Oyebamiji, ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election. The APC said it believes the Osun assassination attempt should be thoroughly investigated to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process and ensure a peaceful democratic exercise.
