By Lateef Ibrahim
Political tensions ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State intensified on Friday as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party traded accusations over alleged plans to instigate violence during the campaign period.
The latest exchange follows allegations by lawmakers aligned with the Accord Party that the APC was behind rising political tension in the state, a claim the opposition party has firmly rejected.
In a statement issued by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the APC described the allegations as false, politically motivated and aimed at damaging the reputation of its governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and former governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
The opposition party accused its rivals of deliberately spreading misinformation in an attempt to influence public perception as political campaigns gather momentum across the state.
According to the APC, reports linking the party to acts of violence and claims that vehicles were being branded with Accord Party insignia to create confusion and unrest were fabricated and should be disregarded by the public.
The party maintained that it has consistently pursued peaceful political engagement and has no reason to resort to intimidation or violence in its quest for electoral victory.
“We want members of the public to discountenance these frivolous fabrications against our party, our governorship candidate and the leader of our party,” the statement said.
The APC further argued that its governorship candidate, popularly known as AMBO, enjoys significant support across the state and is focused on securing victory through lawful democratic processes.
It insisted that Oyebamiji’s campaign strategy is built on persuasion and voter engagement rather than confrontation with political opponents.
The party also used the opportunity to express confidence in its electoral prospects, claiming that growing public dissatisfaction with the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke would work in its favour at the polls.
According to the APC, many of the accusations being levelled against it are intended to divert attention from internal challenges confronting its political rivals while generating sympathy among voters.
The response came shortly after members of the National and State Assemblies aligned with the Accord Party held a press conference calling for the redeployment of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, over allegations of bias.
Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, accused the APC of orchestrating acts capable of undermining peace and stability ahead of the election.
With barely weeks to the governorship poll, the exchange highlights the increasingly charged political atmosphere in Osun State as major stakeholders seek to shape public opinion and gain strategic advantage before voters head to the ballot.
Despite the heated rhetoric, the APC reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful participation in the electoral process and urged residents to remain calm and vigilant throughout the campaign period.
