The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, has accused the state government of being responsible for the persistent political violence in the state, insisting that he and his party are the real victims.

Oyebamiji made the allegation while speaking with senior journalists in Lagos ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The APC candidate dismissed claims by the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke that his administration and supporters were victims of political violence, arguing that the governor was attempting to gain public sympathy.

Oyebamiji alleged that more than 25 APC members were killed during the 2022 governorship election by members of the then ruling party in the state.

He cited the killing of the Chairman of Irewole Local Government, Remi Abass, at the council secretariat as one of the incidents involving members of his party.

According to him, several APC members and other residents had also been killed in the state between 2023 and the present, allegedly by individuals acting on behalf of the government.

He said the APC had documented other politically motivated attacks and killings and was pursuing justice through the courts.

Oyebamiji further alleged that the pattern of violence in the state bore the hallmarks of the ruling administration.

He referred to a recent visit by the Inspector-General of Police to Osun State, during which he said allegations were publicly raised concerning individuals accused of criminal activities allegedly being accommodated within the Government House.

The APC candidate also alleged that some of his party members were recently attacked in Ede, the hometown of Governor Adeleke.

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He said the incidents represented some of the experiences faced by APC members as an opposition party in the state.

Oyebamiji described it as ironic that the Accord Party and the Adeleke administration were complaining about political violence while, according to him, APC members continued to suffer attacks.

He said, “The truth is that we are the victims; the governor is just playing victim to curry sympathy. In his mind, he knows the truth. Let me, therefore, seize this opportunity to reassure Osun people and Nigerians, through you, that both the APC and I are the real victims of the persistent political violence in Osun State. During the 2022 governorship election, more than 25 members of our party were murdered by members of the political party in power in Osun. In my own local government area, for example, the Chairman of Irewole Local Government, Honourable Remi Abass, was killed within the council secretariat last year.

“Between 2023 and date, several of our members and other Osun citizens have been killed by agents of the government. Our party has also documented several other politically motivated attacks and killings, for which we continue to seek justice through the courts. Therefore, the ongoing political violence in the state has all the signs of the government in power on it. Just recently, the Inspector-General of Police visited Osun State and publicly raised allegations concerning individuals accused of criminal activities being housed within the Government House. Furthermore, recent reports indicate that some of our members were attacked in Ede, the hometown of Governor Ademola Adeleke. As an opposition party, these are some of the experiences of members of our party. Ironically, it is the Accord Party and the government of Adeleke that are crying foul while our members bear the scars of political violence.”