Anguish, Lamentations As APC Road Closure Leads To Multiple Accidents In Osogbo

We’re Not Aware Of Any Accident Relating To The Road closure

The Partial Blockade Was Necessitated By The Need To Save Lives, Prevent Hoodlums

– APC Spokesperson

No less than six different road accidents occured between Friday 17th and Saturday 18th September 2021, leading to several bodily injuries to Osogbo residents because of what has been described as needless road closure of the Osogbo-Gbongan dual carriage way by the All Progressives Congress.

The ruling APC Secretariat is situated in a spacious compound on the road at Ogo-Oluwa area but the road is regularly closed arbitrarily by the police each time activities are held in the Secretariat.

While the compound is large enough to accommodate most of its programs, observers keep wondering why the road had to be closed each time activities are held.

Also Read:Osun APC Ward/LG Congresses: APC Faults TOP’s Claims, Says It’s Unnecessary

The first of such incident happened about four weeks ago when the two major caucuses within the party, Ileri-Oluwa and The Osun Progressives (TOP) had violent clash during the hearing of the latter’s petition by the national body of the party. Osun residents had to run for cover when gun shots of hoodlums rented the air in the area.

The second experience was during a press conference on Monday September 6th, when Senator Gbenga Elegbeleye held a press conference on the outcome of the Local Government Congress of the party.

The latest in the series of closures was on Friday and Saturday when the committee set up by the national body of the party to receive petitions from the aggrieved individuals and groups.

Residents along the road between GT Bank and the Directorate of State Security office witnessed series of road accidents where unsuspecting pedestrians were hit by moving vehicles that were forced to drive against the traffic because of the closures.

One of is these unfortunate accidents happened on Saturday 18th September, when one Miss Kaothar Ibrahim a staff of AlFalaah Schools, Ogo-Oluwa Area, Osogbo attempted to cross the road, unknown to her that the traffic had been diverted and vehicles were coming from the opposite direction.

Kaothar who was radiating with smiles and beaming with happiness had reported to the school by 7:33am in preparation for the School’s End-of-the- Session and Walimat ceremony.

According to the school Head, Mr Sulaiman Badrudeen, Kaothar was sent to a printer at Alekuwodo area in Osogbo to collect the students Testimonials for the graduands.

“Miss Kaothar innocently crossed the road in front of the DSS office without noticing that vehicles were coming from the other side due to blockade and subsequent diversion of traffic. She was knocked down by a driver who was driving against the traffic”

“Drenched in a pool of blood, she was subsequently rushed to the Adebare Specialist Hospital, Osogbo as she sustained varying degree of injuries. In addition to loosing two of her teeth, she also had to undergo stiches in her lips and other areas. As at the time of preparing this report, the innocent young teacher is still receiving treatment at the hospital. This is what the state APC has been doing for some weeks now whenever they have their congresses or rally which have caused not less than 10 different accidents with various casualties”, Mr Badrudeen narrated.

In a related development, Yusuf, a son of Mr Wasiu, a computer operator, was also hit by a vehicle in the area. Mr Wasiu lamented the incessant closures. He however thanked God that his son’s injury and bruises were minimal and did not need to be admitted in an hospital.

One of the parents of AlFalaah Schools, Mr K.A Tijani who was embittered at the incident relayed his experience: “I witnessed two similar accidents on the same road because of the diversion. It’s quite unfortunate. One of them was rushed to UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, while the other was taken to another nearby hospital. I learnt similar accidents occured the previous day”, he said.

Another parent, Mrs M.O. Yushau who was pained by the fact that the vibrant teacher of her child was missing at the graduation ceremony wondered why the ruling party should block the road each time event is being held at the party office.

“This is quite unfortunate. Imagine someone who had prepared well ahead of the graduation, celebrating the event at the hospital. Imagine what the situation would be if every political party with offices along Osogbo-Gbongan road closing it each time activities are held in their offices, she said.

However, the Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Barrister Kunle Oyatomi who said neither he nor the party was aware of any accident relating to the road closure said the partial blockade was necessitated by the need to save lives that may be caused by hoodlums who may want to invade the Secretariat.

According, to him, the Appeal Committee sent from Abuja was in Secretariat and the party has the responsibility to protect them and those who may want to file their cases before them. We needed to prevent them from being taken hostage as witnessed about four weeks ago when hoodlums attacked the party Secretariat.

“The public must know that the closure was just for some hours and it’s to protect lives. Let them bear with us. The closure was in good faith and for the public good. It’s just for few hours”, he said.

However, the outcry from the residents of the Ogo Oluwa/Road Safety Area is that the ruling party should be able to conduct itself within the confines of the law without disturbing other road users or affecting the welfare of other law abiding citizens; just as it should be able to manage its internal affairs without causing injury or bodily harm to the public. Their cry is that the APC should not create a bigger problem in trying to solve smaller one.