A former commissioner for works in Osun State, Mr Remi Omowaiye, and his team have been reportedly attacked by some suspected hoodlums in the Isida area of Ilesa in the state.
Omowaiye told Sunday PUNCH that those behind the attack were known thugs allegedly working for the Peoples Democratic Party, adding that six people were injured, while two vehicles in his entourage were damaged during the incident.
The former commissioner, who served under the administration of a former governor of the state, Adegboyega Oyetola, explained that he had gone to the area to give Christmas gifts to traders in Isida Market.
He said one of the youth leaders on his team was stabbed by the attackers.
“Then, we started hearing gunshots and everyone scrambled to safety. In the process, my security men tried to move me into another vehicle. I was in a Venza and they smashed the windscreen of the Venza.
Omowaiye also alleged that the attack was part of plans by the Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to intimidate the opposition ahead of the general elections.
“I heard one of them saying they are acting on the instruction of the governor. So, the governor should face governance and stop attacking us. We have elections in February and I know what they want to do is to intimidate a lot of us to leave the state and we are not going to do that. If anything should happen to us, Governor Adeleke should be held responsible.”
But reacting, the Director of Media of the PDP in Osun, Oladele Olabamiji, said the allegation against Adeleke and his party was untrue.
Olabamiji said, “With the way Nigerian political thugs operate, do you think somebody will just come out and say, ‘I’m acting on the instruction of the governor and I’m here to attack you on behalf of the governor’? That is too petty and it’s coming from someone who found himself in a position of privilege. That has been the way he operates.
“To me, he knows he has exhausted all his goodwill in Ijesa land. Prior to the last governorship election, he was terrorising people with thugs in Ilesa, and perhaps, he is conscious of possible repercussions. I understand he has not stepped foot in Ilesa since his party lost that election.
