The campaign atmosphere ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State intensified on Friday as the governorship campaign councils of the two major contenders exchanged allegations over unresolved political killings and called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene.
The separate appeals were made during the police chief’s visit to Osun State, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council urging the police to arrest suspects previously declared wanted over the killing of its members, while the Imole Campaign Council, representing the Accord Party, called for investigations into alleged killings involving its supporters and demanded the redeployment of the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan.
In a statement signed by its Head of Media and Publicity Committee, Engr. Oluremi Omowaiye, the APC campaign council welcomed the Inspector-General and expressed confidence in his commitment to justice, professionalism and the rule of law.
The council urged the police to intensify efforts to apprehend individuals declared wanted in connection with alleged politically motivated killings and ensure they are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
It also requested a fresh review of unresolved murder cases involving APC members since 2022, alleging that several party leaders and supporters had been killed in separate incidents across the state.
The APC campaign further called for a thorough investigation into the alleged attempted assassination of its Director-General, Oluwole Oke.
In addition, the council urged the police to investigate allegations against Lere Oyewumi, the Senate Minority Leader, over the killings of two APC chieftains and claims of alleged interference in police investigations.
The campaign maintained that it remained committed to peaceful political participation and encouraged its supporters to cooperate with security agencies throughout the election period.
Responding in a separate statement, the Imole Campaign Council accused the APC of ignoring unresolved cases involving members of the Accord Party and called for comprehensive investigations into all incidents of political violence in the state.
Speaking through its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the council argued that public confidence in the police must be strengthened ahead of the governorship election.
It also demanded the redeployment of Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan, saying the appointment of a new police commissioner would help reassure political stakeholders of the neutrality of security agencies during the electoral process.
The council stressed that its demand was aimed at promoting public confidence in policing rather than targeting any individual officer.
It also urged the Inspector-General to investigate APC governorship candidate Bola Oyebamiji, Oluwole Oke and Engr. Remi Omowaiye over separate allegations relating to attacks on Accord Party members, while seeking the arrest of other individuals it accused of involvement in political violence.
The Imole Campaign Council, however, called on its supporters to remain peaceful, avoid inflammatory conduct and cooperate with security agencies before, during and after the August 15 governorship election.
