Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, yesterday, visited the family of the late Ezekiel Olapade, who was killed on Sunday by thugs suspected to be loyal to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), who drove in a branded Ambo bus.
Adeleke warned that Osun State was not scared of the APC brigandage and violence.
The governor, accompanied by top government officials, wept alongside the family of the victims, declaring, “Osun APC and its candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, cannot kill their way into governorship.”
Expressing anguish over a life cut short for political reasons, the governor affirmed that Osun people could not be cowed by gunshots.
He declared, “We are not afraid as we remain resolute in our re-election bid.
“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 won’t be captured by brute force.”
The governor, who was also at the Osun State Teaching Hospital, visited and consoled John Mathew, who survived gunshots, calling the attack “barbaric and a demonstration of man’s inhumanity to man”.
He said, “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 prevails. Osun people will not bow to agents of violence. We will vote and by God’s grace, I shall be re-elected.”
The deputy governor, Kola Adewusi, who was also on the condolence visit, condemned killing of innocent people by political thugs, and declared, “God will avenge the death of Ezekiel.”
