Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The countdown to Saturday's governorship election in Osun State has been stained with fresh blood, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised the alarm over the alleged killing of Dele Ayegbo, the nephew of the party's campaign Director-General, Wole Oke. In a statement issued on Thursday, August 13, 2026, the APC accused political thugs of carrying out the attack in Esa-Oke, Obokun Local Government Area, just 48 hours before voters are set to decide the state's next leader.
According to the APC's Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, Ayegbo was gunned down on Wednesday night near his residence in the Idofin quarters of Esa-Oke. The party alleged that suspected hoodlums riding in a car targeted two APC members, with Ayegbo dying instantly at the scene while a second victim was rushed to an undisclosed hospital with gunshot wounds. "Information has it that Ayegbo was gunned down at the road junction close to his house at the Idofin quarters area of the ancient town by the Accord Party hoodlums who were riding in a car," Olabisi stated.
The APC has been unequivocal in its accusations, directly pointing the finger at the Accord Party, the platform on which Governor Ademola Adeleke is seeking re-election. The party described the killing as the work of a "hit squad" that has been "terrorising the members and supporters of the opposition APC across the state". Olabisi lamented the incident as "one death too many" and called on the Osun State Police Command to investigate the matter urgently.
The killing of Ayegbo is not an isolated incident, according to the APC. The party claimed that more than 30 of its members have been killed by political thugs since 2022, with Ijesaland, where Esa-Oke is located, accounting for 17 of those deaths. Olabisi alleged that the state government has remained silent in the face of these killings, accusing the administration of emboldening perpetrators. "A common observation has been that whenever our members were killed, the self-acclaimed chief security officer of the state would not condemn the killing, which gives credence to his approval of the rampant extra-judicial killings of our members and supporters in the state," he said.
The APC spokesperson further alleged that the attack was a deliberate attempt to intimidate the party's supporters and discourage them from participating in Saturday's election. "The purpose is to scare away our members and supporters from exercising their civic responsibility on Saturday," Olabisi said. The party has urged the police to act swiftly and decisively to prevent further violence and ensure a peaceful electoral process.
As of the time of reporting, the Osun State Police Command had not officially confirmed the incident. The command's Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, had yet to respond to requests for comments. The Nation newspaper, however, reported that two family members of Oke were attacked, with Ayegbo Oladele and Taiwo Oluwatobi named as the victims. The media aide to Wole Oke, Sunday Omolebi, confirmed the killing.
The incident comes amid a backdrop of heightened political tension in Osun State, where Governor Ademola Adeleke is seeking a second term on the platform of the Accord Party. The APC and the Accord Party have exchanged a series of accusations and verbal attacks as the August 15 election draws near. The political atmosphere has become increasingly charged, with reports of violence and intimidation casting a shadow over the electoral process. The killing of Dele Ayegbo has further escalated fears that the election could be marred by bloodshed, raising concerns among civil society groups and observers about the safety of voters and political party supporters.
The APC has demanded justice for Ayegbo and called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. The party has also appealed to the international community and civil society organisations to monitor the situation closely. As Osun State prepares to go to the polls, the question on the minds of many is whether the violence that has plagued the campaign period will spill over into election day, or whether the authorities will be able to restore order and ensure a peaceful, credible process. The blood of Dele Ayegbo now joins the list of casualties in a political battle that has already claimed too many lives. His death serves as a grim reminder of the high stakes of Saturday's election and the urgent need for all stakeholders to reject violence and embrace peace.
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