Tension has risen in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election following an attack on an Accord Party office in Ilesa, where suspected political thugs reportedly destroyed furniture, campaign materials and other items.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, August 8, reportedly forced party supporters at the premises to flee as the attackers vandalised the facility.
Videos circulating after the incident showed damaged chairs, banners and other materials scattered around the party office.
A party source expressed concern over the repeated attacks on Accord facilities, describing the development as an attempt to create fear among supporters ahead of the election.
“The attackers are hoping to cause fear and panic within the party’s support base and this is unfortunate,” the source said.
The source further alleged that the Ilesa incident marked the second attack on an Accord Party office within two weeks and claimed that supporters of the All Progressives Congress were behind the attacks.
“This is the second time in two weeks that our offices have come under attack and the attackers are being sponsored by the APC,” the source alleged.
In another video, suspected thugs were seen pulling down an Accord Party campaign billboard mounted in support of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The incident reportedly unsettled residents who expressed concern over the destruction of campaign materials only days before the election.
“Is this a good thing? See the way they are destroying the billboard,” a resident was heard saying in the video.
The latest incident has further heightened political tensions across Osun, where rival parties have continued to trade accusations over alleged violence and intimidation as the August 15 election approaches.
Meanwhile, the Imole Campaign Council has raised fresh allegations concerning the security situation in Ilesa.
The council, which is overseeing the campaign of Governor Ademola Adeleke, alleged that the state Commissioner for Environment, Mayowa Anjoorin, was abducted during an attack involving Accord Party leaders in the town.
It also accused the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, of allegedly holding a private late-night meeting with some APC leaders.
The allegations were contained in a statement issued in Osogbo on Saturday, August 8, and addressed to the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu.
The statement was signed by Bamidele Sallam, Chairman of the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee of the Imole Campaign Organisation.
The campaign council further alleged that the police commissioner was enabling alleged APC thugs to intimidate and attack Accord Party leaders and supporters across the state.
“The Imole Campaign Council has alerted the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu that the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan is still enabling APC thugs to attack and intimidate leaders and members of Accord across Osun state,” the statement said.
