Osun: PDP Thugs Connive With Police To Terrorize Electorate, Famurewa Alleges

.... I Give You 7 Days To Prove Your Claim Or…Fadahunsi

The APC Senatorial candidate for Osun East senatorial district in the postponed presidential/national assembly elections, Hon. Ajibola Israel Famurewa has alleged threat to the lives of the people of eight villages in Atakumosa East local government area of the of Osun by suspected thugs loyal to the PDP and one Chief Francis Fadahunsi, the PDP candidate.

Famurewa, a serving member of the House of Representative representing Ijesa South federal constituency and the Director General of the campaign organization of the incumbent governor of the state, Gboyega Oyetola made this known when he led party leaders and other APC candidates to address a press conference on the security challenges of his zone after a meeting with the commissioner of police, Abiodun Ige at the state headquarters in Osogbo, the state capital.

It was reported that residents of Iwara, Olowu, Atorin, Ifewara, Temidayo, Tobalase, Lapaide and Faforiji communities in Atakunmosa East Local Government of Osun state were on Thursday thrown into confusion when gunmen suspected to be armed political thugs attacked villagers in the build up to postponed Saturday elections.

In the attack which was said to have occurred around 11:30pm, on Thursday evening, where an eleven years old girl, Rukayat Balogun was shot in the leg by the suspected political thugs who invaded Iwara village and searched indiscriminately all the houses in the affected community. It was learnt that the mother of the victim, Mrs Fasilat is an active member and a food vendor in the O – Meal school feeding programme of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the area.

Famurewa who expressed worries about the influx of thugs into the villages said for over a week now, the suspected thugs have been terrorizing people of the areas especially the supporters of the All Progressives Congress APC, mainly because Atakumosa East was won convincingly by the APC in the last guber election despite the huge financial inducements by the PDP.

According to him, a team of thugs led by Sanya Omirin and Folorunsho Aderibigbe popularly known as “Serere” searched, ransacked every household and started unleashing terror on houses accommodating APC supporters.

“The thugs were said to have armed with dangerous weapons like guns, axes and charms were moving around freely for four hours which the operation lasted. The mother of the eleven years old girl who is currently receiving treatment in the Wesley Guild hospital Ilesa also confirmed that Serere led the gangsters to her house when the honourable minister of health, Prof. Isaac Adewole paid an unscheduled visit on the recuperating girl whose leg was strayed with bullets.

“I have told Chief Fadahunsi times without number to desist from nurturing thugs. The information at my disposal indicates that Chief Fadahunsi bought and imported 100 guns (60 AK47 and 40 pump actions) into Osun. I told him to his face that election is not a do or die affair.”

While calling on the Police to swing into action and ensure the perpetrators are arrested, investigated and brought into book to face the full wrath of justice, Famurewa accused the DPO in charge of Iperindo division, saying he is conniving with PDP thugs to unleash terror on his supporters.

Other leaders on his entourage, which included Chief Adebiyi Adelowo, Hon. Lawrence Ayeni, Hon. Wale Adedoyin also advised the Commissioner of police to transfer all the DPOs in Ijesaland to forestall total breakdown of law and order. In their words, “Though we have appealed to our members and supporters to remain calm in the face of provocation, but let it be known that we are resolute in our determination to resist violence and intimidation in our land”, they concluded.

But, Fadahunsi in swift reaction said it was APC thugs that attacked his supporters, saying Famurewa was just trying to frame him up.

He alleged that , “the said suspected thugs mentioned by Famurewa were the set of people who had worked for APC in the previous elections.

According to him, “I don’t know anything about the attacks in the said communities. I can say it boldly that the said political thugs were those that have worked for APC in the previous elections. They are the renounced state boys. They were working for APC before.

I am giving Famurewa seven days to provide evidence where he saw me to have imported guns and if he fails to do so I will not hesitate to institute litigation against him,” Fadahunsi threatened