Adeleke Seeks UK Visa Ban on Oyetola Others Over Election Violence Claims

(Wale Adebajo and Governor Ademola Adeleke. Photo by Leadership News)

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has called for visa restrictions and economic sanctions against the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, alongside other politicians over their alleged involvement in political violence ahead of the state’s governorship election.

Adeleke made the call on Monday while receiving a delegation from the British Government, led by Senior Political Advisor Wale Adebajo, in Osogbo, the state capital, as part of diplomatic engagements ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

According to a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor accused Oyetola, a former governor of the state; Senator Francis Fadahunsi; the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Bola Oyebamiji; House of Representatives member Wole Oke; and other APC political leaders of allegedly encouraging violence through their supporters, leading to k!llings and gun att@cks across the state.

He did not, however, provide evidence to substantiate the allegations, and none of the persons named has responded to the governor’s claims.

Speaking during the meeting, Adeleke said politicians found to be sponsoring political violence should face international consequences, including visa restrictions and economic sanctions, calling for any measure that could serve as a deterrent against those promoting political violence.

He said the state was seeking visa bans against politicians allegedly sponsoring k!llings and violent att@cks, and advocated similar sanctions against security chiefs allegedly aiding and abetting such anti-democratic activities.

He stressed that elections should not be about bloodshed, insisting that residents of Osun deserved peace and freedom to choose who governs them, and that there must be consequences for those who deliberately endanger lives for selfish political gain.

The governor reiterated that his administration maintains a zero-tolerance stance on political violence, saying security agencies should arrest anyone found culpable regardless of political affiliation.

He said he had personally told the Inspector-General of Police that even if his own son were implicated, he should be arrested, stressing that the government harbours no thugs and that police can and should arrest any suspect, with strict law enforcement applied across board.

Adeleke’s remarks came amid renewed political tension in the state following reported k!llings in Ilobu and Ijebu-Jesa.

It was earlier reported that a 14-year-old boy was k!lled, with the victim’s father attributing the att@ck to assailants who arrived in vehicles branded with the campaign colours of APC governorship candidate Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as “AMBO.”

The APC has denied the allegations, saying neither the party nor anyone associated with it had any involvement in the k!lling.

The statement also referenced another alleged politically motivated k!lling involving a member of the Accord Party, bringing to five the number of party members allegedly k!lled since the commencement of campaigns, with 15 others said to have sustained critical injuries.

These casualty figures, along with the allegation that those responsible were APC supporters, could not be independently verified.

The British delegation said it was in Osun State as part of pre-election peacebuilding efforts and reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s support for a peaceful, credible and transparent electoral process.

Adebajo said the delegation would continue engaging political parties, security agencies and other stakeholders to promote a peaceful atmosphere ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Political activities have intensified across Osun State in recent weeks, with the ruling Accord Party and the opposition APC repeatedly accusing each other of sponsoring violence and intimidation ahead of the poll.