BY LADI IBRAHIM
OSOGBO: One person has been reportedly killed and property worth millions of naira destroyed during Isedo ward (05) councilorship election in Ila Local Government Area of Osun state last weekend.
The election which was between the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Comrade Adeleke Niyi Mufutau and Mr Adebayo Taofeek of the All Progressive Congress (APC) was marred by violence when thugs loyal to both political parties clashed at the collation centre.
Our correspondent gathered that the PDP candidate was apparently in the lead during the collation and counting of votes when some persons armed with matchets, battle axe and charms stormed the venue and disrupted proceedings.
” They immediately started beating everybody, including security personnel and destroying the already counted ballot papers.
” Moments later, another group of armed youths arrived the place and both sides engaged in a bloody battle.
” In the process, the the APC candidate, Mr Adebayo Taofeek was fatally wounded . He died while being taken to the hospital ” , sources in the area told our correspondent.
It was further learnt that tension heightened in the area when news of the death of the APC candidate broke out. Some youths embarked on rampage, destroying property and harassing innocent citizens.
The PDP ward secretariat in Isedo area of Ila and about five vehicles belonging to party stalwarts in the town were allegedly set ablaze by irate youths.
It took the deployment of a detachment of anti- riot squad from the police headquarters in Osogbo to restore normalcy in the area.
Meanwhile, the police in Osogbo have declared the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Comrade Adeleke Niyi Mufutau wanted in connection with the death of his opponent and candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Mr Adebayo Taofeek.
A police statement in Osogbo, the Osun state capital yesterday, said the police are investigating the cause of the violence and the circumstances that led to the death of the local politician during the election last weekend.
Reacting to the violence and the police statement, the PDP chairman in Ila Local Government Area, Chief Josiah Afolabi accused the police of being biased and hasty in declaring Comrade Adeleke wanted.
The PDP chieftain said the police had not done a thorough investigation of the election violence before declaring Comrade Adeleke Niyi Mufutau wanted, adding ” this is an attempt to intimidate and truncate Comrade Adeleke’s political career.”
He warned that the move could further jeopardize the fragile peace in the area.
Meanwhile, efforts to speak with the embattled PDP candidate, Comrade Adeleke was not successful as he is believed to have gone into hiding for fear of his life.
