The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has praised the Nigeria Police Force for thwarting an alleged assassination attempt on the Director-General of its Governorship Campaign Council, Wole Oke, describing the operation as a significant step toward maintaining security ahead of the state’s governorship election. The commendation followed the Osun State Police Command’s announcement that it had arrested three suspects over the alleged Osun assassination attempt and recovered a firearm during the operation.
The Police Command on Thursday paraded three suspects in connection with the alleged plot to assassinate Oke in Ipetu Ijesa. The suspects identified by the police are disc jockey Olalekan Oriyomi, Ayotunde Ikupolati, 44, and Femi Fakinleye, 31.
Police also disclosed that an English Beretta pistol loaded with four rounds of live ammunition was recovered from one of the suspects during the investigation. The arrests form part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged Osun assassination attempt, with authorities continuing efforts to determine the full circumstances surrounding the case.
Reacting to the development, the APC, in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Olabisi, commended the Police Command for what it described as proactive efforts to rid the state of criminal elements. The party said the successful operation prevented what could have resulted in another tragic incident in the state.
The statement read in part: “had it been the suspected assassins who succeeded, the state would have been thrown into another mourning session, which the lying merchants in the state would have loaded its causes on our party without waiting for the police investigation.” The APC expressed confidence that the police would carry out a comprehensive investigation capable of identifying everyone allegedly connected to the incident.
According to the party: “we have absolute confidence in the police that they would do a thorough investigation into the assassination attempt on our Director-General with a view to exposing, arresting and prosecuting all those who may be directly or remotely connected with the crime.”
The opposition party questioned whether political competition should result in violence, arguing that elections should be conducted peacefully. It stated: “Should the whole state be turned into a killing field because of the re-election bid of a governor who has been outrightly rejected by the people because of his unenviable poor performance in the past three years?
“Is it by force and crude means to serve the people who have seen that your best is not desirable for the needed advancement of the state to an acceptable standard comparable to other prosperous states in the nation?”
The APC also expressed concern that Governor Ademola Adeleke and the state chairman of the Accord Party, Victor Akande, had not publicly condemned the alleged assassination attempt several days after the incident.
While commending the police, the party urged investigators to intensify efforts to dismantle criminal networks involved in politically motivated violence. The APC specifically called on security agencies to investigate individuals allegedly mentioned by the suspects during interrogation and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice in accordance with the law.
The party concluded by encouraging its members and supporters to continue campaigning peacefully for its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Oyebamiji, ahead of the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election.
It urged party faithful to remain law-abiding while continuing their political activities, expressing confidence in its candidate’s prospects at the forthcoming poll. The alleged Osun assassination attempt remains under police investigation, with authorities expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the case and whether additional suspects may be linked to the incident.
