Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Osun State Police Command has waded into a growing controversy just two days before Saturday's governorship election, debunking claims by Governor Ademola Adeleke's campaign organisation that four members of the Accord Party were killed in Ilesa on Thursday, August 13, 2026. In a sharp rebuttal, the police described the incident as a cult-related killing that claimed only one life, insisting that the allegations of a political massacre were unfounded.
The Imole Campaign Council (TICC), the re‑election vehicle of Governor Ademola Adeleke, had earlier raised the alarm, alleging that four Accord Party members were murdered in Ilesa because of their political choice. In a statement posted on his Facebook page, the TICC spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, declared: "The Imole Campaign Council has received the shocking news of the killing of four Accord Party members in Ilesa, Osun State. The innocent persons were murdered today because of their political choice and support for Governor Ademola Adeleke." The statement, however, did not specify the location of the incident, the names of the alleged victims, or provide any photographic evidence to support the claim.
But the Osun State Police Command quickly moved to set the record straight. The Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, told journalists that the incident in Ilesa was not a politically motivated attack but a continuation of cult violence. He identified only one victim, Olakunle Owoeye, as having been killed in the incident. "Yes, there was an incident in Ilesa and it is cult-related where one person, identified as Olakunle Owoeye, was killed. We are not aware of any incident where four Accord Party members were killed," Ojelabi stated.
The police debunking adds a new layer of tension to an already volatile political atmosphere in Osun State, where the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, has been marked by allegations of violence, intimidation, and political killings. The TICC's claim came just hours after the police confirmed that one person was killed in a cult clash in Ilesa, raising questions about whether the campaign council had exaggerated the incident for political gain. The TICC has not provided further evidence to substantiate its claim of four deaths, and the police have maintained that their investigation points to a single fatality.
The controversy also comes amid heightened political rhetoric, with Senator Francis Fadahunsi, the All Progressives Congress candidate for Osun East Senatorial District, facing police investigation over a viral video in which he was allegedly heard urging supporters to "kill" Accord Party members. Fadahunsi has denied the allegations, insisting that his comments were misinterpreted and that he was merely urging APC supporters to defeat the Accord Party with their votes. The police have summoned him for questioning, and a magistrate court in Abuja has directed the force to investigate the complaint against him.
Meanwhile, the Ijesa‑South campaign council chairman, Dosu Babatunde, while addressing newsmen in Ilesa, assured residents of their safety before, during, and after the election, urging them to troop out and perform their civic responsibility. He commended President Bola Tinubu and security agencies for ensuring adequate security in Ilesa. When asked about the killings, Mr Jola Akintola said the people had decided to give peace a chance and allow the exercise to take place peacefully.
The police debunking of the TICC's claim is likely to further inflame tensions in Osun State, where the election is seen as a test of President Tinubu's political influence and a potential bellwether for the 2027 general elections. Governor Adeleke, who is seeking a second term on the platform of the Accord Party, has framed the election as a battle between the people of Osun and the federal might of the APC, while the APC has cast the contest as a referendum on Adeleke's performance over the past four years. The TICC's claim of four political killings, even if debunked by the police, has already added to the narrative of violence and intimidation that has marred the campaign.
The Osun State Police Command has urged residents to remain calm and disregard unverified reports. The command has also warned against the spread of misinformation, which it said could heighten tensions and disrupt the electoral process. As Saturday's election approaches, the police have assured the public of their commitment to ensuring a peaceful and credible poll, while urging political actors to refrain from making inflammatory statements that could incite violence. For now, the true nature of the Ilesa incident remains a subject of dispute between the police and the Adeleke campaign, leaving voters to decide who to believe as they prepare to cast their ballots.
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