Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Ademola Adeleke, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of sponsoring political thugs to carry out coordinated attacks across parts of the state, including Ile-Ife, Ede, and Osogbo, as political tensions escalate ahead of the August 15 governorship election. The governor, in a statement posted on his X handle on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, condemned the violence and called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tunji Disu, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies to intervene urgently.
The governor said he visited some of the affected areas and met victims receiving treatment at the Osun State Teaching Hospital in Osogbo and the Cottage Hospital in Ede. He also paid a solidarity visit to the chairman of the Accord political party in Osogbo, who reportedly survived a gunshot attack last week. “I strongly condemn the coordinated attacks carried out by pro-APC political thugs in Ile-Ife, Ede, Osogbo and other parts of our state earlier today. No political ambition is worth the blood, pain, and suffering of innocent citizens,” Adeleke said in the statement.
The governor specifically named former Governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, and the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, accusing them of destabilising roles. “I condemn in the strongest possible terms the destabilising roles of Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, and the Osun APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. The provocation is getting to an unbearable level. For the past few months, I have been calming my people to maintain peace despite persistent attacks,” the governor stated.
According to Adeleke, the attacks began in Ile-Ife and were followed by a 15‑vehicle convoy of thugs that paraded through Akoda, Owode, Olaiya, Old Garage, Okefia and other parts of Osogbo without any police response. He noted that the thugs, led by individuals known as Aleba and Asiri, operated with impunity, leaving several residents feared injured or dead. The governor also expressed frustration at the lack of cooperation from the Osun State Police Command, claiming it had not moved to stop the attacks or arrest the perpetrators.
In its reaction, the Osun APC Campaign Council denied the allegations and instead accused Governor Adeleke of failing to rein in his own political thugs. The Head of the Media and Publicity Committee of the APC Governorship Campaign Council, Engr. Remi Omowaye, called on the governor to take responsibility for the security situation. He alleged that campaign buses belonging to the APC were attacked and vandalised by suspected PDP and Accord Party thugs in the Owode-Ede area, leaving several supporters injured and campaign materials destroyed. Omowaye further alleged that the business van of a leading APC campaigner, Alhaja Falilat Ero Erike, was disrupted by supporters believed to be loyal to Governor Adeleke.
Investigations by journalists indicate that the crisis began in Ile-Ife during a victory walk organised by the APC to mobilise support for its governorship candidate. The walk, which started around 9 a.m. at the Mayfair area, was led by a member of the House of Representatives, Abimbola Ajilesoro. Violence erupted at the Sabo area after some hoodlums tore campaign posters of a governorship candidate pasted along the roadside, leading to a clash in which dangerous weapons, including guns and machetes, were used. Following the Ile-Ife incident, gunshots were also reported in several areas of Osogbo, including Aisu, Owode-Ede, Aregbesola area, Olaiya, Old Garage and Oke Fia.
An eyewitness, a trader in Sabo market identified as Usira, told reporters that the violence spiraled when motorcycle-riding hoodlums from both the APC and Accord Party fought, damaging a motorcycle and exchanging gunfire. During the shooting at Owode-Ede, an elderly man was injured and rushed to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo. A commercial bus driver was also hit by a bullet in the Aregbesola area and taken to an undisclosed hospital. At Testing Ground, soldiers were seen at a business premises owned by an APC member, Lawrence Dada. Dada alleged that the military looted his property and arrested two of his staff members on suspicion of being APC members.
In his directive, Governor Adeleke ordered security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incidents and ensure that all those responsible, regardless of their political affiliations, are brought to justice. He urged residents to remain calm and law‑abiding, stating that additional security measures are being deployed to vulnerable areas. “Political differences must never degenerate into violence, intimidation, or attacks on citizens exercising their constitutional rights. Democracy thrives on dialogue, tolerance, and respect for the rule of law,” the governor said.
The violence has raised significant concerns about the security situation in Osun State just weeks before the August 15 governorship election, with both major parties trading blame and calling for federal intervention.
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