In Osun: PDP, APC Trade Blame Over Ibokun Violence

There is palpable tension in Ibokun, in Obokun local government Area of Osun State at present, as the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, continued to trade blames over attack on members Thursday night.

While the APC claimed that members of PDP ignited the fracas by attacking the office of member of Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Bosun Oyintiloye located in Ibokun, the PDP accused APC of starting the feud by attacking their vehicles while returning from campaign ground at Ikinyinwa.

Addressing newsmen at the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, Oyintiloye accused the candidate of PDP in the constituency, Arch. Adewunmi Adeyemi of leading hoodlums to attack him and his supporters in his office.

He alleged that the attack was carried out with the intention to assassinate him and intimidate his supporters against tomorrow poll.

He explained that some arrests were made by the police after reporting the incident at the police station, in which his opponent from the PDP, Adeyemi was apprehended while others were presently at large.

“We were at my campaign office after series of meetings were held when armed PDP hoodlums, led by Arch. Adeyemi came in different directions and started shooting sporadically.

“These thugs were practically shooting in my direction with the aim to assassinate me, while many of my supporters were seriously injured.

“We reported this case at the police station and police swung into action by arresting some of these people as other were presently at large ” Oyintiloye said.

He however expressed confidence that he would carry the day on Saturday, saying he remained most popular amongst the electorate.

The spokesperson for the PDP, Mrs Grace Olojede Omotosho in her reaction accused members of APC of descending on her members, in collusion with security operatives, including military personnel.

According to Omotosho, every plea she made to Oyintiloye and APC members to stop the assault was discarded, adding that the atmosphere later became charged when some of PDP members were whisked away by the police.

She further alleged that there was a covert move by the ruling APC to intimidate electorate in the constituency, having realised its waned popularity and acceptance.

” We were accosted at Hon. Oyintiloye’s office while returning from campaign ground at Ikinyinwa, as many of our members were seriously brutalised.

“Some of my members later mobilised and returned to the scene of the violence, but I personally appealed to them to be peaceful and not unnecessarily heat up the polity; I specifically begged Oyintiloye to caution his followers and maintain peace all to no avail.

” I was later attacked at my sister’s office in which my car was damaged in the process, while some of our members were arrested and presently detained, including our candidate for tomorrow’s election, arch. Adewunmi Adeyemi”, Omotosho lamented.

He therefore called for quick intervention from appropriate quarters to douse tension in the area, as she clamoured for justice for her members.