APC, Accord trade blame over attack on Osun secretariat

The political landscape in Osun State appears to be descending into a worrying pattern of violence and recrimination, as evidenced by the attack on the Accord Party's state headquarters in Osogbo. The damage to the secretariat, including a breached gate and bullet-riddled walls, paints a grim picture of the escalating tensions. The Accord Party's swift accusation against the All Progressives Congress (APC) points to a deep-seated distrust and a history of political antagonism between the two parties.

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We woke up to the alarm raised by security operatives stationed here by the party.

According to Oladele Bamiji, the deputy spokesperson for the Osun State Governor, the attack was not an isolated incident but part of a broader campaign of intimidation, referencing the prior destruction of Accord Party billboards across the state. This narrative suggests a deliberate effort by the APC to suppress opposition visibility and create an atmosphere of fear. The call for a thorough investigation by the Inspector General of Police and reinforcement of police presence underscores the Accord Party's concern about the state's security apparatus potentially being overwhelmed or compromised.

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In recent days, we have witnessed a surge in political violence, especially from the side of our opponents, the APC, whereby Accord billboards across the state and anything related to the party’s symbol were destroyed.

However, the APC, through its governorship campaign media committee, has vehemently denied these accusations. Kehinde Ayantunji, a member of the committee, dismissed the claims as an 'orchestrated scenario' designed to malign the APC. The APC's counter-narrative suggests that the Accord Party might be fabricating the incident to gain sympathy or to distract from internal issues within their own party. This conflicting account highlights the difficulty in establishing the facts amidst intense political rivalries.

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We are calling on the Inspector-General of Police not to allow Osun State to descend into chaos.

As reported by The Punch, the situation in Osun State demands careful monitoring. The accusations and counter-accusations, if not impartially investigated, could further destabilize the region's political climate. The emphasis on forensic investigation of the bullets found at the scene is a crucial step towards uncovering the truth. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of peace in Nigeria's political arena and the need for robust security and impartial justice.

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Regrettably, they have chosen this path. Osun is known for peace, but only God kn