APC Candidate Urges British Mission to Monitor Poll as Bola Oyebamiji raises concerns over alleged political violence ahead of the Osun governorship election
Osun State All Progressives Congress governorship candidate Bola Oyebamiji has urged the British High Commission and the wider international community to closely monitor the August 15 governorship election, citing concerns over alleged political violence and intimidation ahead of the poll.
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Bola Oyebamiji made the appeal on Tuesday while receiving a delegation from the British High Commission at the APC Campaign Office in Osogbo.
The APC candidate said sustained international observation before, during and after the election would help strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
“The Campaign Council is deeply concerned about the escalating atmosphere of political violence, intimidation and thuggery targeted at members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress by individuals associated with the Osun State Government and Governor Ademola Adeleke,” Bola Oyebamiji said.
The APC candidate alleged that party members and supporters had faced politically motivated attacks since 2022, creating anxiety ahead of the governorship election.
According to Bola Oyebamiji, party records indicate that more than 40 APC members and supporters have allegedly been victims of politically related attacks across different parts of Osun State.
Bola Oyebamiji cited incidents including the reported killings of APC members and supporters in Osogbo, Ota Efun, Ilesa, Irewole and Otan Ayegbaju, as well as the alleged kidnapping and killing of an APC ward treasurer during the 2023 presidential campaign.
The APC candidate also claimed that some suspects had been declared wanted by the police or accused in connection with the attacks and called for all pending cases to be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.
“We respectfully appeal to the British High Commission and other members of the international community to continue paying close attention to developments in Osun State before, during and after the election,” Bola Oyebamiji said.
The APC candidate added that party members had been directed to remain peaceful, law-abiding and to cooperate fully with security agencies despite the challenges they allegedly faced.
The appeal came a day after the British High Commission delegation visited Governor Ademola Adeleke, who also raised concerns about political violence ahead of the August 15 election.
Governor Adeleke called for economic sanctions and visa bans against political figures he alleged were aiding and abetting violence in the state.
Governor Adeleke further accused some political leaders of encouraging violence through their supporters, alleging that the unrest had resulted in killings and gun attacks across Osun State.
In response, the Osun State chapter of the APC rejected the governor’s claims, accusing him of providing misleading information to the visiting British High Commission delegation regarding the security situation in the state.
The appeal reflects growing tensions ahead of the governorship election, with both the APC and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party making competing allegations over political violence.
Also read:Â Over 10,000 ADC, PDP Members Defect to APC in Kebbi
As campaigning intensifies, attention is expected to remain on security agencies, election observers and the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that the poll is conducted peacefully and in accordance with Nigeria’s electoral laws.
