​Current campaign of violence in Osun validates APC's earlier security alerts By Adebayo Adedeji

By Adebayo Adedeji 

The disturbing developments across Osun State, where vehicles branded with the campaign identity of the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), are being camouflaged and used to perpetrate criminal acts, are a classic case of déjà vu. This is exactly the scenario the All Progressives Congress (APC) warned the public and security agencies about months ago based on intelligence available to the party.

Unfortunately, those warnings were ignored. The law enforcement agencies failed to take proactive measures that could have prevented the dangerous situation now confronting the state.

On March 15, 2026, the Osun APC publicly alerted the people of the state to an alleged plot involving the Accord Party Senatorial Candidate for Osun East Senatorial District, Ibukun Fadipe (popularly known as IBK), to arm political thugs across Ijesaland ahead of the governorship election.

According to the statement issued at the time, intelligence available to the party indicated that a secret meeting was convened where about thirty suspected hoodlums and cult members were allegedly empowered with cash ranging from N500,000 to N1 million each for the procurement of arms and ammunition in preparation for election-related violence.

The APC further disclosed that the group was allegedly coordinated by two notorious cult figures, Sanmi Famokunwa, popularly known as "Big Sam," and Hon. Wale Akerele, also known as "Water," a member of the Osun State House of Assembly.

Most importantly, the APC warned that part of the alleged plot was to adopt the campaign identity of AMBO by branding vehicles and other campaign materials with his name and image in order to perpetrate violence, commit criminal acts and falsely implicate the APC across Ijesaland and other parts of Osun State.

Sadly, no action was taken by the Police or any other relevant security agency.

A few months after that warning, events appear to have taken a frightening turn. Today, many communities in Ijesaland are witnessing escalating insecurity. No fewer than five persons have reportedly lost their lives within the last two weeks alone, including the killing of Aderogba, a notorious cult leader in Esa-Oke, who was reportedly murdered in a reprisal attack allegedly linked to a rival cult group.

Similarly, the widely circulated story surrounding the alleged kidnapping of some Accord Party members at Okesa, Ilesa, using a vehicle branded with AMBO's campaign identity failed to gain public credibility because many citizens questioned the logic behind such a claim.

They rightly asked why the APC, if truly involved in such a criminal act, would choose to use one of its publicly identifiable campaign vehicles rather than an unmarked vehicle. 

Nevertheless, the unfortunate reality remains that this entire situation might have been avoided had security agencies acted promptly on the intelligence provided by the APC several months earlier.

Osun State is gradually becoming a theatre of political violence because criminal elements have become emboldened by the apparent absence of consequences. Many believe they can commit heinous crimes and escape justice, and there are several examples that continue to reinforce this dangerous perception.

One such example, according to the APC, is the case involving Ibukun Fadipe (IBK), who, while serving as Chairman of Ilesa West Local Government in 2010, was accused in connection with the killing of an ACN chieftain and former Chairman of DHL, Otunba Raheem Komolafe. The party notes that the matter was swept under the carpet. Despite repeated calls by concerned citizens for the case to be reopened, no meaningful action has been taken by the Police. Rather than being held accountable, IBK has enjoyed political patronage, earning juicy appointments, including Chairman of the Osun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), and is now the Accord Party's Senatorial Candidate for Ife/Ijesa Senatorial District.

The APC also alleges that other wanted suspects, including Olalekan Oyeyemi, popularly known as Emir Ajagungbade, Nurudeen Alowonle and Jide Jọda, continue to enjoy protection despite being declared wanted by the Police. According to the party, these individuals move freely and are recruiting more political thugs for the Accord Party.

Jide Jọda, an appointee of Governor Ademola Adeleke and a close associate of the Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Lere Oyewumi of the Accord Party, is wanted in connection with the broad daylight killing of a serving Chairman of Irewole Local Government, Hon. Remi Abass, within the premises of Irewole Local Government Secretariat in Ikire last year.

Emir Ajagungbade is being wanted over multiple killings, including the gruesome killing of an elderly man he used stone to smash his head in Osogbo. 

Nurudeen Alowonle is being wanted for kidnapping, murder and gun running. He was arrested two years ago with a barreta pistol, but strangely the case has not seen the light of the day.

The APC has also repeatedly accused the state government of shielding these wanted suspects within Government House to frustrate efforts to arrest them.

The growing culture of impunity has come at a terrible cost. During the 2022 and 2023 election cycles, the APC maintains that no fewer than thirty of its supporters were brutally murdered in politically related violence. Within the last one year alone, the party says at least ten more of its members have lost their lives under similar circumstances.

Disturbingly, no one has been successfully prosecuted for these killings. Many suspects are still walking freely, while some are seen accompanying Governor Ademola Adeleke during campaign activities.

Such a situation sends a dangerous signal that political violence attracts no punishment.

Until those responsible for these crimes are brought to justice, the cycle of violence will continue, more criminal gangs will emerge, and many desperate individuals will remain convinced that crime pays. The people of Osun State deserve peace, justice and a secure environment in which they can freely exercise their democratic rights.

The law enforcement agencies should brace up: no criminal should go unpunished.

• ADEDEJI, a media practitioner, is Secretary Media and Publicity Committee as well as Team Lead Digital Media Committee, Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council