Osun 2026: Accord Party Chairman Shot in Osogbo as Police Begin Investigation

Osun 2026: Accord Party Chairman Shot in Osogbo as Police Begin Investigation

Accord has strongly condemned the attempted assassination of its Osogbo Local Government Area Chairman, Asimiyu Ajibola, describing the incident as a politically motivated attack and calling on the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services to launch a thorough investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible. In a statement, the Osun State ruling party expressed gratitude that Ajibola survived the attack and prayed for his speedy recovery. The party condemned what it described as a growing pattern of attacks on its members ahead of the August 12, 2026 governorship election in the state, calling the incident “outrageous, barbaric, despicable and wicked.”

Ajibola reportedly sustained gunshot wounds after two armed men on a motorcycle opened fire on a blue Toyota Corolla conveying him and his associates in the MDS area of Osogbo on the night of June 3, 2026. The incident occurred at approximately 9:50 p.m. near the Osogbo Community Bank axis, causing panic among residents as gunshots rang out in the neighbourhood. According to an eyewitness account from one of the occupants of the vehicle, the gunmen chased the vehicle and unleashed a barrage of gunfire in what appeared to be a coordinated attack. “We were coming from the MDS area of Osogbo at about 9:50 p.m. and all of a sudden, the gun-wielding men chased and released a volley of bullets on all of us in the car,” the survivor said. The occupants managed to escape and sought refuge at the Dugbe Divisional Police Headquarters located a few metres away before the assailants retreated and fled the scene. Ajibola was immediately rushed to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital (UNIOSUNTH) , where medical personnel are working to stabilise his condition.

The Osun State Police Command has confirmed that an intensive manhunt is underway to track down the assailants. The command’s spokesperson, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that police operatives responded swiftly to a distress call, evacuated the victim to a medical facility, and immediately launched a pursuit of the fleeing suspects. Ojelabi confirmed that medical personnel have reported that Ajibola is in a stable condition and responding positively to treatment. “Simultaneously, other operational teams launched an aggressive pursuit of the fleeing suspects in an effort to apprehend them and bring them to justice. Preliminary investigation at the scene led to the recovery of exhibits which are currently being subjected to forensic analysis,” the police spokesperson stated. The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, has ordered a high-level investigation into the incident and directed all relevant investigative units to deploy every available resource to unravel the circumstances surrounding the attack, identify those responsible, and ensure prompt arrest and prosecution. “The command wishes to assure members of the public that no stone will be left unturned in the ongoing investigation. Citizens are urged to remain calm, law-abiding, and provide credible information that may assist the police in tracking down the perpetrators,” Ojelabi added.

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In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Barrister Maxwell Mgbudem, Accord alleged that its members had repeatedly been targeted in politically motivated attacks in Osun State. The party claimed that thugs associated with the opposition All Progressives Congress had repeatedly attacked Accord members, campaign structures, billboards, and party secretariats in attempts to “harass, intimidate and subdue our members aware that the people have rejected their party.” The party lamented that security agencies had been notified of alleged threats in the past but that no prosecutions had followed previous incidents. “Sadly, security agencies were notified of the plots with a view to averting them, yet they were executed under their watch, and nobody has been prosecuted for these heinous crimes,” the statement read. “Enough is enough of this political violence. It is obvious that the ballot is stronger than the gun,” Accord declared, reaffirming its commitment to peaceful and issue-based politics despite the attack. The party maintained that it remains committed to issue-based politics and peaceful campaigns ahead of the governorship election, stressing that it rejects political bitterness and violence in all forms.

The Osun State Government has also condemned the attack and called for a thorough and professional investigation. In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government confirmed that Ajibola was receiving treatment at the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital. Alimi disclosed that preliminary accounts from one of the occupants of the vehicle indicated that the gunmen opened fire on the vehicle around 9:50 p.m. while they were returning from the MDS area. “It is an unfortunate incident which should not be allowed to go uninvestigated. The culprits must be brought to book,” Alimi said. He further urged the police to conduct their investigation professionally, without fear or favour, noting that from all available indices, the attack has elements of political colourations.

Despite the attack, Accord Party reiterated its support for Governor Ademola Adeleke, describing him as a “pro-people Governor who has transformed the state and delivered dividends of democracy to citizens.” The party maintained that it would not be intimidated by what it described as “anti-democratic and reactionary forces” seeking to undermine its activities in the state. “Let it be clear that our great party will not be cowed, intimidated and suppressed by anti-democratic and reactionary forces in Osun State,” Mgbudem stated. “Osun State is an Accord stronghold with a pro-people Governor who has transformed the state and delivered dividends of democracy to citizens. He deserves a second term in office. The good people of Osun State are in one accord with Governor Ademola Adeleke. Together, Osun State will be taken to a new level of development and prosperity.” The party reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing its political objectives peacefully and expressed confidence that the people of Osun State would continue to support its vision for the state’s development and prosperity.

Osun 2026: Accord Party Chairman Shot in Osogbo as Police Begin Investigation