Osun Election: Accord Party Member Allegedly Killed by Suspected APC Thugs on Eve of Poll

A member of the Accord Party has allegedly been killed by suspected thugs believed to be affiliated with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, less than 24 hours before the state’s governorship election.

The victim was reportedly chased and attacked at about 6:00 a.m. on Friday in Omi Eran Atijo community, where he was eventually caught and killed, according to sources familiar with the incident.

A video obtained by the media showed the deceased lying lifeless inside a drainage, with blood visible around his body.

The killing has heightened fears of political violence across the state, with residents accusing security operatives deployed to the community of failing to act decisively despite warnings of possible attacks.

A source said security personnel had remained largely inactive amid growing concerns over alleged activities of suspected APC thugs, leaving residents and opposition supporters increasingly fearful ahead of Saturday’s election.

A relative of the deceased described the killing as devastating, saying the victim was a family man who left behind a wife and children.

“I’m not okay as I am speaking to you. The man they killed was very close to me. They killed him, and he had a wife and children.”

The incident comes against the backdrop of heightened tension in Osun as voters prepare to elect a new governor.

Meanwhile, fresh controversy has emerged over the reported release of Babatunde Komolafe Festus, the APC House of Assembly candidate for Atakumosa East/West Local Government Area, who was reportedly arrested by Nigerian Navy personnel in Ifewara over alleged possession of a firearm.

Sources said the naval commander who ordered Komolafe’s arrest was subsequently redeployed after the incident became public, with one source alleging that the redeployment followed “orders from above.”

“The Naval Commander who arrested Komolafe and the other suspects has been redeployed. When the news went viral, those from above became agitated and the Commander who had the effrontery to order such arrest was made a scapegoat,” the source alleged.

Komolafe was also reportedly released following intervention by senior authorities, according to sources.

“They have freed the House of Assembly candidate, Komolafe, based on orders from those high up,” another source alleged.

The developments have further intensified concerns over the security and political climate in Osun on the eve of the governorship poll.

Residents and political stakeholders have called on security agencies to investigate the alleged killing, identify those responsible and ensure they are prosecuted.

They also urged security authorities to immediately intensify patrols and preventive operations across vulnerable communities to avert further bloodshed before, during and after Saturday’s election.