A civil society organisation, The Osun Youth Initiative for Good Governance, OYIGG, has called for a comprehensive investigation into reported cases of pre-election violence in Osun State, saying those responsible for such incidents should be brought to justice.
The group which condemned the killing of Olalekan Oyeyemi, also known as Emir Ajagungbade also noted that the reported internal conflict with the Accord in Osun State has vindicated previous comments made by Senator Francis Fadahunsi
In a statement signed by its National Convener, Dr Adeyemi Akande, OYIGG expressed concern over alleged violence during the period leading up to the recently concluded governorship election and called on security agencies to investigate all reported incidents.
OYIGG alleged that more than 22 people were killed during the pre-election period and questioned why those allegedly responsible had not been arrested or prosecuted.
“As a group, we are surprised that over 22 law-abiding citizens were allegedly killed during the pre-election period, yet Governor Adeleke never deemed it fit to order the police and other security agencies to arrest those responsible.
“But today, a notorious thug has been killed, and the Governor has suddenly woken up and given a marching order because the Emir was allegedly a member of his party and an aide,” the statement said.
The organisation also alleged that the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, had raised concerns with Adeleke about the presence of wanted persons in the Osun State Government House, Oke Fia.
OYIGG alleged that the governor was shielding wanted individuals, including suspected political thugs, at the Government House and urged him to make such persons available to the police for investigation.
The group recalled that the police had declared Oyeyemi wanted over alleged criminal offences, including murder and terrorism, and urged the relevant authorities to establish the facts surrounding the allegations.
Akande also alleged that Oyeyemi and another individual, identified as Solo-Iwara, had been seen several times around Ilesa before the governorship election, claiming that their presence was followed by attacks and killings involving opposition supporters.
He urged Osun residents to reject intimidation by any political party and called on security agencies to investigate allegations of pre-election violence, identify those responsible and ensure that anyone found culpable faces the law.
Emir’s Killing: Group calls for investigation into election violence in Osun