“We Are the Victims, Not Adeleke” — APC Candidate Denies Violence Claims as Osun Election Nears

As the clock ticks toward Osun State’s high-stakes governorship election on Saturday, August 15, 2026, the political atmosphere has become increasingly charged—not just with campaign rhetoric, but with grave accusations of violence and victimhood. At the center of the storm is Biodun Oyebamiji, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) , who has pushed back forcefully against claims made by the state’s incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke.

Oyebamiji, a former Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) , addressed journalists on Friday to present a starkly different narrative from the one being promoted by the ruling Accord Party in the state. While Governor Adeleke has repeatedly accused the APC of orchestrating violent attacks to instill fear among his supporters, Oyebamiji dismissed the allegations as a calculated attempt to gain public sympathy.

“We are the victims. The governor is just playing the victim to curry sympathy. In his mind, he knows the truth,” Oyebamiji declared. “Both the APC and I are the real victims of persistent political violence in Osun State.”

Oyebamiji did not mince words as he detailed a grim history of violence that he claims has plagued his party since the 2022 governorship election. He alleged that no fewer than 25 APC members were murdered during that electoral cycle by agents of the political party currently in power. He further cited the killing of Remi Abass, the APC Chairman of Irewole Local Government Area, who was reportedly murdered inside the council secretariat last year. According to Oyebamiji, such killings have continued unchecked from 2023 to date, with several citizens and party loyalists losing their lives in politically motivated attacks.

“Our party has documented several politically motivated attacks and killings, for which we continue to seek justice through the courts. The ongoing political violence has all the signs of government in power on it,” he stated.

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Oyebamiji also referenced a recent visit by the Inspector-General of Police to Osun State, during which the police chief publicly raised concerns about individuals accused of criminal activities being housed within the Government House. He pointed to recent attacks in Ede, the hometown of Governor Adeleke, as further evidence that opposition party members are being targeted.

Governor Adeleke, on his part, has painted an equally dire picture. In recent public statements, he claimed that seven Accord Party members have been killed in the past three months alone, with more than 20 others injured and over 60 party members currently in police custody. The governor has called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Peace Committee to intervene, stating that “Osun is bleeding.” The divergence in narratives highlights the deep polarization gripping the state. Both parties accuse each other of political thuggery, and independent reports suggest a frightening escalation. A recent analysis by Kimpact Development Initiative recorded 44 election-related violent incidents and 13 fatalities between October 2025 and June 2026 in Osun State. In a particularly shocking incident last month, suspected gunmen attacked an APC meeting in Osogbo, killing two members and injuring a 13-year-old girl.

Amid the finger-pointing, Oyebamiji also took time to outline his vision for the state, should he secure the mandate of the people. He pledged that within his first 100 days in office, his administration would undertake a comprehensive review of all outstanding entitlements owed to active and retired workers and commence immediate payment. He further highlighted three key pillars of his economic recovery plan: operationalizing the Dagbolu Dry Port to boost trade and logistics; empowering 10,000 young people through strategic partnerships in information and communication technology; and institutionalizing monthly meetings of the State Security Council to involve security agencies, traditional rulers, and local government leaders in proactive security management.

The August 15 election is widely seen as a three-horse race among Governor Adeleke, APC’s Oyebamiji, and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) . With tensions running high, the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed multiple arrests in connection with the violence and has assured residents of adequate security at polling units across the state. For now, the question of who is the true victim remains a matter of political narrative. But as both parties brace for the polls, many residents are simply hoping for peace—and that the ballot, not the bullet, will decide the next leader of Osun State.

“We Are the Victims, Not Adeleke” — APC Candidate Denies Violence Claims as Osun Election Nears

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