Tension has heightened in Osun State ahead of the governorship election following the killing of Kolade Eluyera, son of a chieftain of the Accord Party, in Ikire.
The Nigeria Police Force in the state confirmed the recovery of the victim’s lifeless body, saying he was found with gunshot wounds.
Police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, disclosed that investigations had commenced immediately into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“Investigation is on and the Commissioner of Police has deployed more men to the area. We are working with those who brought the corpse to get more information,” Ojelabi said.
The incident has since triggered accusations and counter-accusations between rival political camps in the state.
The Imole Campaign Council, backing the re-election bid of Governor Ademola Adeleke, described the killing as politically motivated and called for a thorough investigation.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the council alleged that suspected thugs linked to the All Progressives Congress carried out the attack near the Onireke Mosque area of Ikire on Friday night.
Olajengbesi claimed that several security alerts and complaints had earlier been submitted to authorities over alleged intimidation, kidnapping and attacks targeted at Accord Party members in Irewole Local Government Area.
“After several complaints, security reports, and intelligence alerts had earlier been lodged at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Ikire and the Office of the Area Commander concerning alleged kidnapping, abduction, violent intimidation, harassment, and coordinated attacks targeted at members of the Accord Party in Irewole Local Government, yet no visible, preventive, or decisive law enforcement action was taken to forestall the escalation of violence now culminating in the unfortunate loss of human life,” he said.
The campaign spokesperson further warned that the growing wave of political violence posed a threat to democracy, peace and political freedom in the state.
He also urged the Department of State Services, the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies to conduct an independent investigation into the killing.
However, the allegation was dismissed by the Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji Governorship Election Campaign Council.
Reacting through its Co-Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee, Kola Olabisi, the opposition campaign organisation described the accusations as false, politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing the image of the APC.
“It is uncharitable, wicked and inhuman of the campaign committee wing of the re-election bid of Governor Ademola Adeleke to willingly embark on the threatening of the security of the state out of its desperation to sell their difficult candidate,” Olabisi said.
He maintained that violence and political brigandage had never been associated with the APC and accused the Adeleke campaign structure of spreading misinformation for political advantage.
The killing has further heightened political tension in the state as parties intensify preparations ahead of the governorship election.
