Adeleke seeks visa ban on Osun opposition leaders over killings

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has called for international sanctions, including visa bans, against opposition leaders he accuses of fueling political violence in the state. The governor made this plea on Monday while meeting with a British Government delegation on a pre-election peace-building mission.

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I have zero tolerance for violence. I have told the Inspector General of Police that if my son is involved, he should be arrested.

Adeleke alleged that certain politicians are encouraging their supporters to engage in violence, resulting in killings and gun attacks across Osun State. He specifically pointed to the reported killing of another Accord Party member in Ijebu-Jesa, bringing the total number of Accord members allegedly killed since the political campaigns began to five. Fifteen others have reportedly sustained critical injuries in attacks attributed to suspected opposition thugs.

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I told the world we harbour no thugs anywhere and the police can and should arrest any suspect. There must be strict law enforcement.

"I have zero tolerance for violence. I have told the Inspector General of Police that if my son is involved, he should be arrested," Adeleke stated, emphasizing his commitment to accountability regardless of political affiliation. He urged security agencies to thoroughly investigate and prosecute both the perpetrators and their alleged sponsors, arguing that public statements and actions by some opposition leaders justify the call for international sanctions.

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I believe we must have a deterrent against those promoting political violence. We seek a visa ban against politicians sponsoring killings and violent attacks. We advocate for similar sanctions against security chiefs aiding and abetting such anti-democratic activities.

The governor stressed the need for deterrents against those promoting political violence, advocating for visa bans against politicians sponsoring killings and violent attacks, as well as sanctions against security chiefs aiding such activities. He asserted that elections should not involve bloodshed and that Osun State deserves peace for its citizens to make their choice freely. The British delegation, led by Senior Political Adviser Wale Adebajo, assured the governor of continued engagement in promoting peaceful and credible elections in the state.

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Election is not about bloodshed. Osun deserves the peace and freedom to make their choice about who governs them. There must be consequences for those deliberately endangering the lives of our people for selfish political gains.