12-Year-Old Boy Shot During APC Campaign Rally in Ilesa, Protests Erupt in Osun

The incident has triggered angry demonstrations, with residents demanding a transparent investigation into the alleged involvement of a state lawmaker and security personnel.

Tension has gripped Ilesa, Osun State, following the alleged shooting of a 12-year-old boy during an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally on Saturday, August 8, 2026. The incident has sparked protests in parts of the town, with residents taking to the streets to demand answers and accountability. According to eyewitness accounts, the boy was sitting inside his mother’s shop when gunshots rang out along the campaign route. Several APC supporters were also reportedly injured in the melee. The exact circumstances that led to the shooting remain unclear, and it has not been independently established who fired the shots. A photograph circulating online shows the 12-year-old lying on what appears to be a hospital bed, suggesting he has been receiving medical treatment.

In a development that has intensified public anger, eyewitnesses have alleged that the Chief Whip of the Osun State House of Assembly, Wale Akerele, was present at the scene alongside operatives of the Osun State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, when the shooting occurred. Some eyewitnesses have further alleged that the Amotekun operatives and the lawmaker directed gunfire at APC members, resulting in the injuries. These allegations have not been independently verified. “Scores of APC members also sustained injuries,” an eyewitness was quoted as saying. The number of people injured, including the condition of the 12-year-old boy, could not be independently confirmed as of press time.

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The shooting has triggered protests in parts of Ilesa, with residents demanding a transparent investigation into the incident, particularly regarding the reported involvement of a state lawmaker and security personnel. The reported targeting of a child has heightened public anger and raised serious questions about the conduct of political campaigns in the state. Efforts to obtain official reactions from the Osun State Police Command, the Amotekun Corps, and Wale Akerele were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. Authorities are expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine those responsible for the alleged shooting.

The incident is the latest in a wave of politically motivated violence that has claimed multiple lives and left dozens injured in the run-up to the August 15 governorship election. Political violence has escalated sharply across Osun State in recent weeks, with both the ruling Accord Party and the opposition APC trading accusations of orchestrating attacks. The Imole Campaign Council for the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke has alleged that several members of the Accord Party and grassroots supporters of the governor have been killed, injured, or detained because of their political affiliation. The council recently proposed state honours for what it described as victims of electoral violence, naming Kolade Eluyera, Ezekiel Olapade, Ajayi Rogba, and Timilehin Oni among those allegedly killed. The APC, on the other hand, has accused Governor Adeleke’s allies of orchestrating the violence, dismissing allegations linking former Governor Gboyega Oyetola to the unrest as “false”. Prince Bayo Adeleke, Director-General of the Osun Central APC Governorship Campaign Council, alleged that members of the ruling camp, rather than the opposition, were responsible for the wave of attacks. He also cited the killing of the Chairman of Ilesa West Local Government, Remi Abbas, on February 17, 2025, as evidence of persistent attacks against APC members. With the election just days away, the tension in Osun State shows no sign of abating, and the latest shooting of a 12-year-old boy has further inflamed an already volatile situation. Security agencies are under pressure to conduct a transparent investigation and ensure the safety of lives and property during the campaign period and on election day.

12-Year-Old Boy Shot During APC Campaign Rally in Ilesa, Protests Erupt in Osun

Wike mocks Bode George, calls him ‘failed politician’ who can’t win his polling unit

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a blistering attack on Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Chief Bode George, declaring he has no regret over blocking George’s bid to become the party’s National Chairman. Wike described George as a “failed politician” who has never won any election for the PDP in Lagos State since 1999 and has no electoral value.

The long-running feud between the two PDP heavyweights escalated on Saturday, August 8, 2026, when Wike, through a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, accused George of nursing a grudge over his thwarted chairmanship ambition. The minister insisted that the party’s decision to zone the national chairmanship position to the South-South was a justifiable move that blocked George’s path. Wike said George’s persistent criticism of his leadership and political decisions was driven entirely by bitterness over this setback. “His anger is because we didn’t allow him to be PDP National Chairman and no regret doing so,” Wike said, adding that George “was carrying on like the position was his birthright” . He claimed that since the national convention, the former Deputy National Chairman “has not stopped being angry.” Wike also noted that George’s political frustration had been compounded by the emergence of Deji Doherty, whom he said the party chieftain did not want to see in charge of the PDP in Lagos State, further souring his mood and fueling his ongoing criticism.

Wike argued that leadership of a political party should be based on the ability to win elections, not on titles or the status of being a “founding father” , a position he maintained with unwavering conviction throughout his statement. He described George as “a complete disaster” on that score, suggesting that the elder statesman had failed to justify his influence within the party through tangible electoral results. The minister further remarked: “We have managed him even though we know that he has no value. But as it is, since he wants to keep dancing naked in the marketplace of politics, we can’t but allow him,” using a vivid metaphor to dismiss George’s continued relevance. To buttress his claim, the minister cited electoral results from George’s former polling unit in Lagos Island, presenting them as evidence of George’s inability to influence electoral outcomes. Wike said George had never won even his own polling unit, Unit 001 in Ward E2, Evans Street, Lagos Island, for the PDP, a statistic he argued spoke volumes about George’s political weakness. He noted that in the 2019 presidential election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 84 votes at the unit against the PDP’s 40 votes, demonstrating the party’s lack of competitiveness even in George’s immediate neighborhood. Wike also pointed out that after George transferred his voter’s card to Eti-Osa for the 2023 elections, the PDP recorded only four votes at his former polling unit, a dramatic drop that he used to question George’s political influence. “Leadership of a political party is not by name, title or being a founding father. Rather, it is about what you are able to bring to the table in terms of winning elections, and in this regard, Bode George is a complete disaster,” Wike stated emphatically.

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Wike also recounted a personal attempt at reconciliation after the party’s national convention, revealing that he had made efforts to mend fences with George despite their differences. He claimed that as a sitting governor of Rivers State, he visited George’s residence in Maitama, Abuja, to appease him, but was nearly turned away by George’s wife, a slight that he clearly still resents. The minister said former Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko, had to intervene to prevent him from being walked out, suggesting that George’s bitterness had reached such a level that he was unwilling to even receive a visiting governor. The minister also challenged George to explain the source of funds for his Maitama residence, alleging links between the property and Rivers State money, a claim that George has vehemently denied. Wike had earlier made this allegation during his monthly media chat with journalists in Abuja, saying: “This man from Lagos, Bode George, when they talk about corruption, ask him about the house he is living in Maitama. Is it not Rivers State money?”

The PDP chieftain has responded to Wike’s allegations, denying any wrongdoing and threatening legal action, indicating that the feud is far from over. In an appearance on TVC News, George dismissed Wike’s claims regarding the source of funds for his Abuja residence, describing the minister as a man who needs “urgent psychiatric attention” . “How was my house in Abuja bought with Rivers fund? I’m going to take him to court. I’m sure he was high on something,” George said, dismissing Wike’s allegations as baseless. He insisted that he purchased the Maitama house from a private owner—a retired civil servant—and that it has no connection with Rivers State funds. “Am I from Rivers State? Is Rivers State a bank?” George queried, questioning the logic behind Wike’s allegations.

The Lagos State chapter of the PDP has waded into the controversy, condemning Wike’s remarks as “baseless, reckless and ignorant” , and defending their chieftain against what they see as an unwarranted attack. In a statement signed by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Dr. Christopher Odianarewo, the party defended George’s record, stating that he was exonerated by the Supreme Court over allegations related to his tenure as Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Board, making Wike’s allegations particularly offensive. Odianarewo accused Wike of disregarding judicial decisions and abusing his office by questioning the ownership of George’s private residence. “Wike must understand that his ministerial portfolio is not a license to intimidate citizens or weaponize state power against private individuals,” the party stated firmly. The Lagos PDP also reminded Wike that George served as PDP National Vice Chairman (South) and successfully delivered five states in a landslide victory when Wike was still a local government chairman struggling for political relevance, suggesting that George’s influence should not be underestimated. The party further accused Wike of a history of betraying political allies, listing figures such as Peter Odili, Rotimi Amaechi, and Goodluck Jonathan, suggesting that Wike’s criticisms of others should be viewed with skepticism given his own track record of political betrayals.

Wike mocks Bode George, calls him ‘failed politician’ who can’t win his polling unit

Osun Election: ‘Prepare to Sign Your Uncle as Dancer’ — Uzodimma Fires Back at Davido

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has delivered a sharp response to Afrobeats superstar Davido, telling the singer to prepare to sign his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, as a dancer in his musical band after the upcoming Osun State governorship election. The exchange follows Davido’s appeal to an unnamed politician from Imo State, widely interpreted as Uzodimma, to allow a free and fair election in Osun and refrain from interference ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship poll.

Davido, who serves as the head of youth mobilisation for his uncle Governor Adeleke’s re-election campaign, addressed supporters on Wednesday urging calm and rejecting violence ahead of the poll. Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo, Davido called on an unnamed “daddy from Imo State” to use his influence to promote peace rather than interfere in the electoral process. “I’ve heard rumours that there are moves to interfere in the Osun State election or to use the state as a political battleground to prove a point,” Davido said. “I do not present these claims as facts, but I appeal to you, sir, to use your influence to promote peace and allow the people of Osun to choose their candidates freely.” The singer invoked his family connection to Imo State through his wife, Chioma, to lend sincerity to his appeal. “Osun is ours, the future is ours, and let peace lead the way,” Davido urged residents.

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Uzodimma, who chairs the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Campaign Council for the Osun election, responded through a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Electronic and Creative Media, Ambrose Nwaogwugwu. He dismissed Davido’s appeal as “pedestrian,” arguing that the singer should direct his message to Osun voters rather than to him. “It is rather pedestrian for Davido to direct such an appeal to the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum simply because his wife is from Imo State,” the statement read. “Instead, his appeal should be directed to the people of Osun State, who will ultimately decide the election’s outcome through their votes.”

Uzodimma also took aim at Governor Ademola Adeleke’s record, claiming dissatisfaction among Osun residents. “The reality is that Governor Ademola Adeleke has, in the opinion of many, failed woefully in the discharge of his responsibilities. This is why many Osun voters are determined to vote him out in the August 15, 2026, governorship election,” Uzodimma said. He claimed that signals from across the state indicated voters were ready to embrace “a new direction” under the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

In a biting personal jab, Uzodimma suggested Davido prepare his uncle for life after politics. “Rather than attempting to influence Governor Hope Uzodimma through emotional appeals, Davido should concentrate on helping his uncle prepare for life after office, as the people of Osun appear ready to cast their votes massively in favour of the APC candidate,” the statement read. “Perhaps, Davido should also begin making preparations to officially sign his uncle as a dancer in his musical band, because judging by the mood of the electorate, he may well be out of a political job after the August 15, 2026, governorship election.”

The exchange comes amid heightened political tensions ahead of the Osun governorship election, where Governor Adeleke is seeking a second term under the Accord Party. The controversy follows recent actions by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which froze bank accounts linked to the Osun State Government, and alleged arrests of Adeleke’s supporters by the police. The governorship election is scheduled to take place on August 15, with 14 candidates contesting the poll.

Osun Election: ‘Prepare to Sign Your Uncle as Dancer’ — Uzodimma Fires Back at Davido