Osun Election Aftermath: Political Violence Erupts, Chieftains Attacked, Victims Counted

Following the official declaration of Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party as the winner of the Osun State governorship election, a wave of coordinated violence has been reported in various parts of the state. SaharaReporters detailed accounts of alleged political thugs, identified as members of the Accord Party, unleashing terror on key members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), resulting in widespread destruction across several local government areas.

The post-election violence saw numerous incidents, including attacks in Ilesa where the political office at Oke Omiru and the private residence of Engr. Oluremi Omowaiye at Ilaje were heavily targeted with sporadic gunshots. Omowaiye, who serves as the Media Head of the APC Governorship Campaign Council and Executive Director of the Federal Housing Authority, had his properties vandalised by armed Accord Party loyalists. Simultaneously, a violent contingent invaded Iperindo, where they breached the home of APC stakeholder Omoniyi Dotun, also known as "Adamo," and completely destroyed his Toyota Venza vehicle, forcing residents to flee.

Coordinated attacks also spread to Atakumosa East and neighbouring communities. In Omi Odo, a prominent local figure, Adam Saka, was brutally assaulted, and the home of Hon. Garuba Ganiyu in Ajimobi Village was targeted. Further cases of violent attacks on APC members were reported in Modakeke and Ikire, the hometown of the APC Governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. Traumatised APC residents questioned why a victorious party would systematically target opposition members in unprovoked, sustained aggression, urging security agencies to intervene immediately, arrest perpetrators, and restore law and order to prevent the state from descending into anarchy.

The election results saw Governor Adeleke secure 511,067 votes, defeating the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes. Amidst this backdrop, several APC governors and party chieftains were reportedly seen leaving Osogbo in long convoys early Sunday, met with boos from residents.

In response to the reported violence, the Imole Campaign Council, representing Governor Adeleke, announced it has commenced a post-election review of electoral violence across Osun State. The council directed its structures in all 30 local government areas to document all victims, including those who lost their lives, sustained injuries, or had properties damaged, covering incidents before, during, and immediately after the election. The council's spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, emphasised that this exercise is not party-focused and aims to document every victim irrespective of political affiliation, party membership, or voting preference, stating that "violence against any citizen diminishes us all."

The Imole Campaign Council highlighted prior incidents of violence, including the killing of Accord Party supporter Ajayi Aderogba, popularly known as Rogba, in Esa-Oke in June, and previously named other alleged victims like Kolade Eluyera, Ezekiel Olapade, and Timilehin Oni. They had also alleged that over 100 of Adeleke’s campaign coordinators and supporters were arrested and detained during the campaign. While grateful for the election outcome, the council stressed that victory cannot erase the pain suffered by families, affirming that common humanity must now take precedence over political differences and that "Osun comes first." The council has mandated its local government structures to submit comprehensive and verifiable records of affected persons for further review and appropriate action.