The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, has rejected Governor Ademola Adeleke’s call for visa restrictions on prominent APC leaders, describing the proposal as “the joke of the century.”
Speaking in Osogbo on Tuesday while receiving officials from the British High Commission, Oyebamiji said the APC had also lost several members to political violence and had always allowed security agencies to investigate such incidents without politicising them.
According to him, numerous APC members were killed during the 2022 governorship election, while several other attacks have occurred in the last two years.
He cited the killing of Irewole Local Government Chairman, Hon. Remi Abbas, as one of the tragic incidents affecting the party.
Responding to Adeleke’s appeal for visa restrictions, Oyebamiji said the request was baseless, insisting that if any party had grounds to seek such measures, it would have been the APC.
The APC candidate pledged continued cooperation with security agencies and expressed confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a peaceful, free and credible governorship election.
Also speaking during the visit, Senior Political Adviser at the British High Commission, Wale Adebajo, said the meeting formed part of ongoing engagements with political stakeholders ahead of the election.
Governor Adeleke had earlier urged foreign missions to consider visa restrictions and economic sanctions against some APC leaders, alleging that their actions contributed to political violence in the state.
As political campaigns gather momentum, both major parties have continued exchanging accusations while assuring residents of their commitment to peaceful democratic processes.
