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CSOs Threaten International Sanctions Over Alleged Political Violence in Osun
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CSOs Threaten International Sanctions Over Alleged Political Violence in Osun
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
A coalition of civil society organisations in Osun State has accused some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of allegedly encouraging political violence and intimidation ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
The accusation was contained in a statement issued by the Publicity Secretary of the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Good Governance (CCSOGG), Oluwasegun Fasakin, who warned that the group could petition international bodies, including the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union, to impose visa restrictions on individuals linked to political violence in Osun State.
According to the statement, supporters of the Accord Party, loyalists of Governor Ademola Adeleke and other residents of the state have allegedly been subjected to attacks, harassment and intimidation by suspected political thugs.
The coalition specifically mentioned the Director-General of the Osun APC Campaign Council, Hon. Oluwole Oke, and APC chieftain, Remi Omowaye, alleging that their actions and public comments were capable of escalating tension in the state.
“What is currently unfolding in Osun State is not ordinary political disagreement.
It is a dangerous and coordinated attempt to create fear, destabilize public peace, intimidate political opponents and provoke chaos ahead of the forthcoming governorship election,” the statement said.
The group alleged that reports of attacks on perceived supporters of the Accord Party and Governor Adeleke’s administration had emerged from several communities across the state in recent weeks.
It also claimed that campaign materials had been destroyed while some political gatherings were disrupted by armed thugs.
The coalition expressed concern over what it described as the silence of relevant authorities despite the growing political tension.
“Every act of violence ignored today becomes an invitation for greater lawlessness tomorrow,” the statement added.
The group called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and caution the Osun APC leadership and its governorship candidate to prevent further escalation of the situation.
It also urged the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to investigate the alleged activities of political thugs operating in the state and prosecute anyone found culpable, regardless of political affiliation.
The coalition further warned that if the attacks continue, it would submit petitions and documented reports to the United States Embassy, the British High Commission, the European Union and other international democratic and human rights organisations for urgent intervention.
“We shall strongly advocate for visa restrictions and international sanctions against any political actor, sponsor or enabler found to be connected to the ongoing wave of political violence, intimidation and attacks against innocent citizens in Osun State,” the statement noted.
The coalition maintained that Osun State must not be turned into “a theatre of political violence by desperate politicians seeking power at all costs,” stressing that residents deserve peace, democratic freedom and issue-based politics.
