Osun PDP, APC Clash Over Police Shooting of OSTMS Chairman
Tensions flared in Osun State as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) traded accusations over the alleged police shooting of Wakeel Nurudeen Iyanda Alowonle, Chairman of the Osun State Transport Management System (OSTMS).
The incident occurred late Monday night, with the PDP alleging that the head of the Osun State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad, SP Moses Lohor, and his team orchestrated an assassination attempt on Alowonle.
In a statement by PDP Chairman Sunday Bisi, the party condemned the shooting, calling it a deliberate act of political violence aimed at intimidating PDP members. Bisi linked the attack to a broader APC strategy, referencing a recent statement by APC National Chairman Dr. Umar Ganduje in Akure, Ondo State, where Ganduje vowed to wrest power from the PDP in Osun and Oyo states.
Bisi demanded swift action, stating, “The actions of SP Moses Lohor and his team must be fully investigated, and those culpable should be brought to justice. We urge the Inspector General of Police, the National Security Adviser, and the Police Service Commission to act decisively.”
He further accused SP Lohor of being a tool for political oppression, alleging prior instances of unlawful detentions targeting PDP loyalists. The PDP insisted on a transparent investigation and accountability for all involved.
APC’s Counter-Statement
In response, the Osun APC defended the police, commending their proactive measures to rid the state of criminal elements. In a statement by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the APC accused the PDP and Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration of shielding criminal elements under the guise of governance.
Olabisi described the PDP’s reaction as a “hasty defense of a suspected criminal,” alleging that Alowonle had a history of unresolved criminal activities. “The ruling PDP has reduced itself to defending suspected gunrunners and contrabandists,” Olabisi said.
The APC further criticized the Adeleke administration, accusing it of failing in its constitutional duty to protect citizens and instead aligning with individuals alleged to disrupt the state’s peace.
Rising Political Tensions
The incident has deepened political divides in Osun State, with both parties accusing each other of undermining public trust and security. While the PDP insists the shooting is part of a political agenda to intimidate its members, the APC views the PDP’s defense of Alowonle as a troubling alignment with criminal elements.
Calls for an independent investigation into the shooting have grown, with civil society groups urging the Inspector General of Police and other authorities to ensure transparency and justice. As both parties prepare for potential legal and political battles, the incident underscores the fragile state of political relations in Osun
