Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has called for visa bans and economic sanctions against politicians and security officials found to be sponsoring or enabling political violence ahead of the state’s governorship election.
The governor made the appeal during a meeting with a British diplomatic delegation led by Senior Political Adviser, Wale Adebajo, amid renewed concerns over politically motivated attacks in the state.
According to a statement issued by Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor alleged that five members of the Accord Party had been killed and 15 others injured since the commencement of political campaigns, blaming suspected political thugs for the attacks.
Adeleke urged security agencies to investigate the incidents and prosecute those responsible, insisting that political violence should attract serious consequences.
He also advocated visa restrictions and economic sanctions against individuals found to be sponsoring electoral violence, as well as security officials accused of aiding such activities.
Responding, Adebajo said the British delegation was in Osun as part of efforts to support peaceful, credible and transparent elections, assuring that the team would engage all stakeholders ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun dismissed the governor’s allegations, accusing him of attempting to mislead the British delegation.
In a statement signed by the party’s spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, the APC challenged Adeleke to provide evidence linking its leaders to political violence, insisting that no court or investigative panel had indicted any of its members.
The opposition party further accused the governor of making politically motivated allegations while claiming that several of its members were victims of violence in previous elections.
The exchange comes amid heightened political activities and renewed calls for peaceful conduct as Osun prepares for its governorship poll.
