You Can’t Kill Your Way to Power, Adeleke Tells APC Over Ilobu Attack

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of resorting to violence ahead of the 2026 governorship election, warning that the people of the state cannot be intimidated by acts of political brigandry.

Adeleke stated this on Monday during a condolence visit to the family of late Ezekiel Olapade, who was allegedly killed during a violent attack in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area of the state.

The governor, who was accompanied by top government officials, wept with the bereaved family and condemned the killing, alleging that the victim was attacked by political thugs operating in a vehicle branded with the name of the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

Expressing sadness over the death of the teenager, the governor said the incident was a painful loss allegedly caused by political desperation.

“We are a courageous people; we cannot be silenced. We hold our heads high as we seek the support of our people.

“I wonder who is behind APC strategy. You are attacking and maiming people you are seeking to govern. How is that a way to secure power?

“You killed the innocents whose votes you need. They are attacking the people thinking that will give them the governorship. They cannot kill their way to power. Osun wont be captured by brute force.

The governor who was also at the Osun State Teaching Hospital visited and condoled John Mathew who survived gunshots during which the victim was killed, calling the attack “barbaric and a demonstration of man inhumanity to man.

“I have talked to the police authorities. They must arrest and prosecute the killers. This criminal conduct has to stop. That was how APC thugs attempted an attack on my son.

“We will not rest until justice prevail. Osun people will not bow to agents of violence. We will vote and by Gods grace, I shall be re-elected” the governor noted.

The deputy governor, Prince Kola Adewusi who also at the condolence visit condemned killing of innocent ones by political thugs, declared that “God will avenge the death of Ezekiel”

He invokes God’s name to punish mastermind of the killings, praying God to console the family of the victims.

Hon Ajibade Sikiru, Accord chairman for Irepodun local government while welcoming the Governor narrated the sequence of events leading to the killing:

“We have been shouting about Saheed, how he has been shooting round the town. We have been informing the security agencies. Last week, Saheed attacked some Accord members. He was reported to the police but was let off the hook by the police command.

“If the police had acted rightly, Saheed would not have perpetrated the killing of Ezekiel. The previous attack was done with an AMBO branded Sienna. We task police not to play politics with our lives, the party chairman narrated.