The tension ahead of the re-run election slated for Thursday in Osun state rose earlier today as heavy shootings took place between alleged political thugs and the Police at Alakewudo neighbourhood in Osogbo.
It was reported that some passers by specifically a 12 year old girl and two men sustained gunshot wounds as a result of the shootings. The girl was allegedly hit on the thigh by a stray police bullet while sitting outside her mother’s shop on Akinlade street. The wounded girl has however been discharged and requested to come for further treatments on Tuesday.
Residents of polling units where the re-run would take place have expressed grave concerns about the security of their lives and properties ahead of the election scheduled to hold on Thursday. This development might have further heightened their fears as the violence started as a result of some persons from the local government being mobilized for a political meeting.
The violence erupted at about 12:30 p.m. when suspected All Progressives Congress loyalists trailed a Peoples Democratic Party chieftain to the neighbourhood.
Fatai Diekola, a political operative of the PDP in Osogbo, was in Alekuwodo to mobilise party supporters to Ademola Adeleke’s house for a meeting.
Those selected for the trip were largely from Ward 5, Osogbo Local Government Area, in which Polling Unit 17 is domiciled.
Breaking news:
Alhaji Fatai Diekola and other leaders of Osun PDP are arrested in Osogbo at Alekuwodo ward 5 unit 17 where the inconclusive election to hold on Thursday.
PDP will not take it easy, if they want violence, the party will bring violence as well. pic.twitter.com/m4TRZbpldS— Ojo Oluwadare (@OjoOluwadare4) September 24, 2018
Witnesses said Mr Diekola was trailed to the neighborhood and mobbed by suspected APC thugs as he was rallying PDP members to proceed on their journey to Ede.
The Polling Unit 17, located at Adewale Street, off Akinlade Street in Alekuwodo, where the violence broke out has been predicted to be one which could determine the outcome of Thursday’s re-run election.
