Tension gripped Ilesa in Osun State on Saturday after gunmen opened fire during an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign rally, leaving several people injured.
Newsafricng.com learnt that APC supporters had begun an early-morning procession around Oke-Omiru and were heading toward Isokun when the attack happened.
A party member who gave his name as Segun said the group was returning to the party secretariat when they were confronted.
“We were having an early morning rally today. On our way back, we were ambushed by hoodlums led by a lawmaker at the Osun State House of Assembly,” he said.
“The hoodlums first shot into the air to scare us. Some of us stayed, then they opened fire on the rally and many members were injured.”
He added that the group later regrouped to protest, and that Hon. Akerele mobilized more people to the scene. “We were attacked and maimed. It is so unfortunate,” Segun said. He noted that victims were rushed to hospital.
A bullet reportedly hit a truck driver and some passers-by, while a member identified as Tobi is receiving treatment at Wesley Guild Teaching Hospital.
Head of Media for the APC Campaign Council, Oluremi Omowaiye, accused the Osun Assembly Chief Whip, Hon. Olawale Akerele, of masterminding the attack. The incident sparked a street protest by APC members in Ilesa who are demanding Akerele’s arrest.
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Akerele, however, denied firing at anyone. He said he was driving along Isokun Road when he ran into the rally. “They started shooting into the air but I had Amotekun operatives with me as security. They also shot into the air to scare them, then we left,” he explained.
He said he later honored a police invitation and on his way back ran into the protesters again, at which point his security acted in self-defense.
Osun Police PRO, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the command was aware and would provide details later.
