The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State has strongly condemned the alleged assassination attempt on Wakeel Nurudeen Iyanda Alowonle, the Chairman of the Osun State Transport Management System, OSTMS.
The party in a statement by Sunday Bisi, its chairman, also called for the immediate prosecution of Moses Lohor, the head of the Osun State Police Command Anti-Kidnapping Squad and members of his team for shooting Alowonle late on Monday night.
Bisi described the incident as a deliberate escalation of political violence and intimidation orchestrated by thoughtless forces working for the APC.
He also noted that the act came immediately after the pronouncement made by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Umar Ganduje in Akure, Ondo State shortly after the governorship election.
Ganduje had stated that the APC would wrestle power from the PDP in Oyo and Osun States.
Bisi demanded “immediate clarification on these issues because we are not aware of any law permitting police to engage in jungle justice or the extrajudicial execution of citizens, regardless of allegations against them.
“The actions of SP Moses Lohor and his team must be fully investigated, and those culpable should be brought to justice.
“It is of particular concern that the OC of the team SP Moses Lohor has become a political tool being used for political actors to oppress citizens perceived to be against APC interest in the state.
“The same officer has previously been involved in similar incidents of political victimization where he unlawfully detained and terrorized loyalists of former governor, Rauf Aregbesola.
“We urge the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the National Security Adviser (NSA), and the Police Service Commission to effect drastic actions against SP Moses Lohor and his team.
“An immediate and transparent investigation is required into the shooting incident, and all those responsible must be held accountable.
“The Osun State PDP will not shy away from holding into account those who engage in political intimidation and violence while in positions of authority as graciously enabled by the mandate of the good people of Osun State.
“We will not tolerate a situation where our members will be singled out for violent intimidation because of their political beliefs.
“We again call on the IGP, the NSA, and the Police Service Commission to act quickly and firmly to rebuild public confidence in the police force and guarantee justice is delivered.”
Meanwhile, the Osun All Progressives Congress, APC, in its own statement commended the state police command for its proactive approach in ridding the state of criminal elements.
Osun APC in a statement by Kola Olabisi, Director of Media and Information alleged that the criminals have been hiding under the canopy of the government to disturb the peace of the state.
The statement said, “It is not a new thing that a suspected criminal is arrested by the police.
“What, however, is bizarre and worrisome is that the state government and the state chapter of the PDP would find it expedient, tactical and necessary to make a statement in support of the suspect who has a history of unresolved crimes hanging on his neck.
“This hasty defence of a suspected criminal by Governor Adeleke’s government has provoked some fundamental questions about the government’s commitment to protecting the citizenry of Osun State which is the uppermost duty of any government which is alive to its constitutional responsibility.
“A situation where a government and the ruling party have turned themselves to the megaphone of a hardened criminal is a pointer to the abysmal low level to which the government of Governor Adeleke has been ridiculously and shamefully reduced to.
“That the ruling PDP could descend so low to be defending a suspected gunrunner and contrabandist goes a long way to accentuate the maxim that an organization cannot be better than the quality of those running its affairs.
“The Osun PDP is a classical example of an irredeemable disaster which management is unfortunate to be in the hand of a certified bibulous personality while the government is being tendered to by some opportunistic caretakers due to the verifiable pathological challenges of the supposed number one man in the state.
“In a sane society, the government should genuinely partner with the law enforcement agencies in combating crimes and not brazenly aiding and abetting same as it is the case with the close associate of Governor Adeleke.”