Osun Post-election violence: Olabode Omoyele condemns killings, urges politicians to call supporters to order
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr.Olabode Omoyele, has condemned the wave of post-election violence rocking Osun state, calling on political leaders across party lines to rein in their supporters and put an end to reprisal attacks.
Olabode’s condemnation came on the heels of renewed clashes linked to the control of motor parks, which on Sunday claimed the life of a prominent transport union leader, Olalekan Oyeyemi, popularly known as Emir Ajagungbade, at the Mayfair Motor Park in Ile-Ife.
The police said on Monday that another corpse was recovered from the park, bringing to two the number of persons killed in the shooting incident, while the remains of Oyeyemi, a chieftain of the Accord Party, were buried in Osogbo in accordance with traditional rites.
Olabode, who had earlier commended the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the August 15 governorship election, said the peace recorded during the poll must not be allowed to collapse into anarchy.
He described the killing in Ife as “senseless, barbaric and a dangerous descent into lawlessness,” warning that Osun’s history of politically motivated violence must not be allowed to repeat itself.
“The election has come and gone. What Osun needs now is healing, not killing. I condemn in strong terms the post-election crisis and the killing of the transport union leader in Ife. No ambition is worth the blood of any Osun indigene,” Olabode Omoyele said in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos.
“Politicians must rein in their lackeys. The park is not a battleground for political supremacy. Those who mobilise thugs for territorial control are enemies of Osun State.”
It will be recalled that Osun has witnessed a steady rise in politically motivated clashes since the build-up to the August 15 governorship poll. Stakeholders had identified 385 election flashpoints across the 30 local government areas, citing political tension, lingering grievances and cult-related activities.
The tension escalated after the poll, with reports of attacks on party members, destruction of property and killings in Irepodun, Irewole and other councils. The state government has since inaugurated a Commission of Inquiry to investigate alleged incidents of violence before, during and after the election.
Eyewitnesses said Oyeyemi was shot dead shortly after being named state chairman of the transport union system by government representatives. According to accounts, hoodlums allegedly led by a rival factional leader stormed the Mayfair garage where the union leaders were eating and opened fire.
Governor Ademola Adeleke has subsequently banned all activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, across the state and directed the Commissioner of Police to arrest those responsible. He also ordered the reintroduction of a state-supervised Park Management System to administer motor parks.
Olabode appealed to the Osun Police Command and the Department of State Services(DSS)to act decisively and ensure that all those implicated in the Ife killing and other post-election attacks are brought to justice irrespective of party affiliation.
He also urged the governor, as Chief Security Officer of the state, to demonstrate neutrality in restoring peace, noting that the senseless killings and harassment of citizens must stop forthwith, a concern also raised by the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
“Osun is known for civility and enterprise. The cherished Oodua Heritage and values Ife is known for muts not be sacrificed on the altar of politics. I call on our traditional rulers, especially the Ooni of Ife, religious leaders and elders to intervene before this crisis snowballs,” Olabode added.
