Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has called for economic sanctions and visa bans against Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, Senator representing Osun East, Francis Fadahunsi, the All Progressives Congress gubernatorial candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and the APC campaign Director General, Hon. Wole Oke, over alleged involvement in political violence in the state.
The governor made the call on Monday while receiving a delegation from the British government ahead of the forthcoming Osun elections.
Speaking at the meeting, Governor Adeleke accused the listed leaders and other Osun APC leaders of actively promoting political violence through their allies and associates, which he said has led to killings and gun attacks across Osun.
He commended security chiefs for intervening to curb the violence, but alleged that some political leaders were tactfully and openly encouraging attacks.
“I have zero tolerance for violence. I have told the Inspector General of Police that if my son is involved, he should be arrested. I told the world we harbour no thugs anywhere, and the police can and should arrest any suspect. There must be strict law enforcement,” Adeleke said.
The governor’s statement comes amid the killing of another Accord Party member at Ijebu-Jesa.
According to the government, five Accord members have been killed and 15 others critically wounded in attacks allegedly carried out by suspected APC thugs since the commencement of political campaigns for the 2026 elections.
Adeleke urged security agencies to go after both the perpetrators and their sponsors, saying publicly available statements and actions of top Osun APC leaders justify his call for sanctions.
“We must have a deterrent against those promoting political violence. We seek visa bans against politicians sponsoring killings and violent attacks. We also advocate similar sanctions against security chiefs aiding and abetting such anti-democratic activities,” he said.
“Election is not about bloodshed. Osun deserves peace and the freedom to choose who governs them. There must be consequences for those deliberately endangering the lives of our people for selfish political gains,” the governor told the British delegation led by Senior Political Advisor, Wale Adebajo.
In his response, Adebajo said the team was in the state as part of pre-election peacebuilding efforts alongside other partners. He assured that the British government supports a peaceful and transparent electoral process.
He added that the diplomatic team would engage all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful environment ahead of the August 15 polls and would continue to advocate for free, fair, and credible elections.
