By Adetutu Oyebanjo
Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State, Biodun Oyebamiji, has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of playing the victim to curry sympathy ahead of Saturday’s governorship poll.
Adeleke has repeatedly accused the APC of attacking his administration and members of his party, Accord Party, to instill fear ahead of the election.
Meanwhile, Oyebamiji denied the accusation, saying he and other members of the APC were the true victims of political violence in the state.
Addressing newsmen, the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, also accused the ruling party of killing several members of the state’s APC from 2023 to date.
His words: “We are the victims. The governor is just playing the victim to curry sympathy. In his mind, he knows the truth. Therefore, let me seize this opportunity to reassure Osun people and Nigerians, through you, that both the APC and I are the real victims of 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 Area, Remi Abass, was killed within the council secretariat last year.
“From 2023 to date, several of our members and other Osun citizens have been killed by agents of 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 has all the signs of 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. Recent reports indicate that some of our members were attacked in Ede, the hometown of Governor Adeleke. As an opposition party, these are some of the experiences of members of our party. Ironically, it is the Accord Party and government of Adeleke that are crying foul while our members bear the scars of political violence.”
On his plans if elected, he said: “Once the good people of Osun hand me the mandate, we will, in line with our campaign promises, within our first 100 days in office, undertake a comprehensive review of all outstanding entitlements owed to active and retired workers and commence immediate payment. We are equally committed to to ensuring that the Dagbolu Dry Port becomes fully operational. In addition to these, through strategic partnerships, we will commence the training and empowerment of no fewer than 10,000 young people in information and communication technology. We will also institutionalise monthly monthly meetings of the State Security Council involving security agencies, traditional rulers and local government leaders.”
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