Police arrest Osun Commissioner over gunshots at APC rally; Adeleke kicks

Mayowa Asejoorin, Osun's Commissioner for Environment, is currently facing arrest and questioning by the police over allegations of gunshots fired at an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Ilesa on Saturday, August 7, 2026. Four people were reportedly injured in the incident, including a 14-year-old boy, Ilesanmi, who was shot in the thigh. His mother's shop was the scene of the unfortunate incident, with eyewitness Kola Adeoti stating that the boy was hit by a stray bullet while there.

The police have confirmed that Commissioner Asejoorin was arrested in connection with the incident, and he has been taken to the Osun State Police Command for questioning. According to DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, the Commissioner was arrested at the scene, and exhibits were recovered, including expanded cartridges and Amotekun personnel caps. However, the Imole Campaign Council, Governor Ademola Adeleke's campaign team, has described the arrest as a plot to silence Accord leaders in the state, and has called on the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, to reign in the Osun Police Command.

The Imole Campaign Council has questioned the manner of the Commissioner's arrest, describing it as a "bandit-line abduction carried out under the cover of police authority." They also pointed out that Accord leaders and members will not be intimidated, and that the will of the people cannot be arrested. This statement highlights the deepening tensions between the APC and Accord parties in Osun State. The APC has been making significant strides in Osun, with Governor Adeleke's campaign gaining momentum. However, the Accord party has been vocal in its opposition, and it appears that this opposition has taken a violent turn.

The events unfolding in Osun State are part of a larger trend of increased violence and intimidation in Nigerian politics. As the country heads into the 2027 general elections, parties are becoming more desperate, and violence is becoming more frequent. The APC and PDP have been at the forefront of this trend, with both parties engaging in violent clashes in various states. The Osun State incident is a stark reminder of the dangers of electoral politics in Nigeria, and the need for stakeholders to take a firm stance against violence and intimidation.

As the investigation into the Osun State incident continues, it is likely that Commissioner Asejoorin will face charges related to the gunshots fired at the APC rally. While the Imole Campaign Council has described his arrest as a plot to silence Accord leaders, it is possible that the Commissioner's actions were a miscalculation that has backfired. The APC has a history of using violence to silence its opponents, but this approach has consistently backfired, leading to further polarization and violence.As the Osun State incident continues to unfold, it is clear that the stakes are high for all parties involved. The APC, Accord, and the police are all taking a risk by engaging in this game of cat and mouse, and it is possible that the consequences will be severe.