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

“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