A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye has said the party does not need to engage in violence to win the August 15 governorship election, stressing that violence does not secure electoral victory.

Oyintiloye also described claims linking the party and its candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, to rising political violence in the state as the handiwork of desperate politicians.

Oyintiloye, former lawmaker made the remark while speaking with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo.

He said neither the party nor its candidate has any connection with individuals or groups allegedly using APC’s name to perpetrate violence and create unrest in the state.

According to him, the APC is founded on the timeless Omoluabi ethos, which upholds integrity, discipline, humility, honesty, respect, compassion, justice, accountability and selfless service.”

The APC chieftain condemned the killing of innocent residents for political purposes, describing those responsible as people with “dead conscience.”

He further said, “The APC is a party of peace and has nothing to do with the allegations of violence against it.

“We condemn every form of violence, lawlessness and bloodshed, irrespective of the status of those involved. No political ambition or partisan interest is worth the loss of a human life. We urge those perpetrating these acts to desist.”

Oyintiloye added that, as a progressive party, “the APC remains committed to peaceful coexistence, inclusiveness, tolerance, mutual respect, constructive engagement and people-centred leadership that prioritises the welfare, security and prosperity of citizens.

He maintained that the progressive family has never embraced violence or intimidation as a means of political engagement.

He insisted that the APC has dissociated itself completely from any individual or group hiding under its name to perpetrate violence, create unrest, intimidate citizens or disrupt public peace in any part of the state.

Oyintiloye emphasised that the party believes in the democratic process, the rule of law and the sovereign right of the people to freely choose their leaders through peaceful and credible elections.

He warned that “anyone who seeks to cause mayhem, sponsor violence or use the APC’s name to justify criminal acts is acting in personal interest and should not be identified with the party.”

He said such conduct is “inconsistent with the APC’s long-established culture of moderation, civility and responsible political participation.”

Oyintiloye subsequently called on party members, political actors, security agencies and the general public to remain calm, law-abiding and vigilant, while allowing relevant authorities to investigate all incidents and bring perpetrators to justice.

He reaffirmed the APC’s commitment to democracy, peace, justice and the protection of lives and property, urging all stakeholders to prioritise the unity, stability and development of Osun State above political considerations.

Sympathising with the families of victims of extrajudicial killings and other acts of violence in the state, he prayed that God grants them the strength and fortitude to bear the loss.

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Taraba state aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed its claim as the authentic leadership of the party in the state.
The state chairman of the faction, Ibrahim Abba Sale, made the declaration at the weekend while presenting certificates of return to the group’s 24 candidates for the Taraba State House of Assembly ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Sale maintained that the faction remains the legitimate leadership of the PDP in Taraba, stressing that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, monitored the party’s primary elections that produced its candidates.

He urged the candidates to remain committed to pursuing their mandates through the democratic process, noting that the faction has successfully fielded candidates for all 24 State House of Assembly seats, six House of Representatives constituencies, and the governorship election, with Senator Emmanuel Bwacha emerging as its governorship candidate.

The chairman also took a swipe at the administration of governor Agbu Kefas, accusing it of failing to deliver the expected democratic dividends to the people.

He appealed to voters across the state to support the PDP in the forthcoming elections. The development comes amid the lingering leadership dispute within the PDP in Taraba State.

The candidates presented belong to the Wike-aligned faction, which continues to lay claim to the party’s structure in the state despite the ongoing internal crisis.

The Osun State Government has inaugurated a Commission of Inquiry to investigate disturbances of public peace across the state last week, while the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, rejected the panel, questioning its credibility and impartiality.

The commission, chaired by retired Justice Adekunle Adeigbe, was inaugurated at the Government House in Osogbo by Deputy Governor Prince Kola Adewusi on behalf of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The panel was sworn in to investigate the causes of recent security disturbances and recommend measures to restore lasting peace.

Representing the governor, Adewusi described the assignment as vital to the state’s stability, urging the commission to carry out its work diligently and without fear or favour.

He said the panel’s findings should be guided by truth, facts, and justice and not sentiment, not pressure.

He added: “The government is committed to peace because without peace, there can be no development. We expect recommendations that will not only address what has happened, but also prevent future occurrences across all communities, towns, and villages in Osun.”

The Deputy governor also assured the commission of the government’s full support, including logistics, security and access to relevant agencies and official documents required for its assignment.

In his acceptance speech, Justice Adeigbe thanked the state government for the confidence reposed in the commission and pledged that its members would discharge their responsibilities with integrity, fairness and commitment to the rule of law.

“We promise to approach this task with the fear of God, fairness to all parties, and commitment to the rule of law. We will listen to all sides. We will follow the evidence wherever it leads. We will not betray this trust,” he said.

However, the Osun APC dismissed the commission, saying it had no confidence in a kangaroo commission of enquiry established by a governor seeking re-election ahead of the next governorship poll.

In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the party argued that although commissions of enquiry are constitutionally recognised, the timing of the panel’s inauguration had raised questions about its motive and credibility.

The APC alleged that “Governor Adeleke had already prejudged the outcome by blaming the opposition for the state’s political violence before the conclusion of police investigations, insisting that such actions undermined confidence in the commission.”

The opposition claimed that several of its members had been killed in politically related attacks over recent years and urged the commission to investigate those incidents alongside other cases of violence in the state.

It also called on the panel to “examine allegations concerning public officials and individuals who have made inflammatory statements or were linked to violent activities. Some suspects had been appointed into government positions.”

The APC criticised the composition of the commission, arguing that it lacked sufficient transparency.

The inauguration of the commission comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the next governorship election on August 15, with both the state government and the opposition insisting on their commitment to peace while disagreeing sharply over the credibility and purpose of the enquiry panel.