APC, Accord Party Trade Blame Over Osun Motor Park Crisis

The All Progressives Congress and the Accord Party in Osun State have traded accusations over a violent clash at a motor park in Ikire, with both parties blaming the other for the incident.

The crisis occurred on Monday at the Naira and Kobo Junction motor park in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area, amid an alleged attempt by rival groups to take control of the park. Two people were initially feared killed, while reports later emerged of a higher casualty figure.

The Osun APC accused the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke of supporting political thugs allegedly affiliated with the Accord Party.

Speaking in Osogbo, the Chairman of the Osun APC Media Cluster, Oluwafunsho Fagbohungbe, alleged that the violence started when suspected hoodlums working with the Accord Party attempted to forcefully take over the motor park.

He claimed that several people, including commuters and a commercial driver, were killed during the confrontation, while police personnel were also assaulted.

Fagbohungbe alleged that the violence escalated after the police responded to a distress call concerning an APC member who had reportedly been abducted and taken to the motor park.

He called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 11, and the Osun State Commissioner of Police to deploy additional security personnel to Ikire and restore order.

The Accord Party, however, rejected the APC's allegations and accused the Divisional Police Officer of the Irewole Division, Bamidele Olatona, of being responsible for the violence.

The Osun Accord chairman, Victor Akande, alleged that the DPO opened fire at the motor park without provocation, insisting that there had been no attempt by Accord members to take over the facility.

Akande described the incident as part of what he called a pattern of alleged partisan conduct by the police officer in the area.

He called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Osun State Police Command and the Police Service Commission to investigate the DPO and take appropriate action.

Meanwhile, residents said the confrontation created panic in Ikire, while a police Hilux vehicle donated to the Ikire Divisional Police Station was reportedly damaged during the violence.

The police had yet to publicly provide a definitive account of the incident as of the time of filing the reports, with the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, reportedly unavailable for immediate comment.