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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has alleged that political thugs have been mobilised into Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, claiming they could be deployed to disrupt voting in parts of Osogbo and Egbedore.
The allegation was made on Friday by Kehinde Ayantunji, who spoke on behalf of the APC campaign media committee at the Correspondents’ Chapel in Osogbo.
Ayantunji claimed the suspected thugs were brought into the state from Lagos and accommodated at the Government House. He alleged that two individuals identified by the names “Olowe” and “Iberu” were coordinating the group.
“As I’m speaking to you now, we have intelligence that a large number of political thugs have been mobilised into the government house,” Ayantunji said.
He claimed the party had gathered information showing that some of those allegedly brought into the state were not Osun residents.
According to him, the APC had also obtained what he described as pictorial evidence and details of vehicles allegedly used to convey the suspected thugs.
Ayantunji further alleged that the group was being prepared to cause disruption in specific areas if the election did not favour the ruling party.
“Our intelligence confirmed that these suspected political thugs have been adequately mobilised, and any moment from now, they might be moving around,” he said.
He alleged that the areas being targeted included parts of Osogbo, Irepodun and Egbedore, specifically mentioning Ward 5, Ward 4 and Ward 8 in Osogbo, as well as Okini, Ido-Osun and Ofatedo in Egbedore.
Ayantunji claimed the suspected thugs had been mobilised with funds and ammunition, although the allegation was not independently verified.
The APC campaign media committee called on security agencies to investigate the allegations and take action if the claims were established.
“We have to inform the members of the public, and we have to call on the security agents,” Ayantunji said, questioning why security personnel had allegedly failed to intervene.
He also urged the international community and other election stakeholders to take note of the allegation.
The APC said Governor Ademola Adeleke should be held responsible for any violence involving the alleged political thugs if the claims were proven.
The allegations had not been independently verified, and the material provided did not include a response from the governor, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or the Accord Party.
