Wole Oke Breaks Silence on Esa-Oke Killing, Accuses Adeleke of Politicising Tragedy

 

By Abel Chigozie 

Member of the House of Representatives representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, Hon. Oluwole Oke, has strongly responded to Governor Ademola Adeleke over comments made during the governor's condolence visit to Esa-Oke following the killing of an Accord Party member, Ajayi Aderogba, popularly known as Rogba.

In a statement shared on his official Facebook page, Oke accused Governor Adeleke of using the tragic incident to launch what he described as unwarranted attacks and curses against him despite having no involvement in the killing.

The lawmaker maintained that he is a man of peace who neither harbours grudges nor sponsors political thugs.

"I am a man of peace. Nobody offends me. I keep no malice. I keep no thugs, neither do I breed one," Oke stated.

He further accused the governor of neglecting Esa-Oke throughout his administration due to what he described as longstanding political hostility towards him. According to the federal lawmaker, the state government failed to execute meaningful projects in the community and allegedly refused to appoint indigenes of Esa-Oke into the governing board of Osun State College of Technology, describing such appointments as a long-standing tradition.

Oke also claimed that the current administration was built on the political structures and sacrifices of several individuals, including himself, but insisted he would not descend into personal attacks despite the governor's remarks.

The lawmaker predicted defeat for Governor Adeleke in the forthcoming August 15 governorship election, expressing confidence that the electorate would vote for a change in government.

"My mission is leading a democratic struggle to remove you from office through the ballot," he declared, adding that the governor's tenure would come to an end after the next election.

On the killing of Aderogba, Oke said he neither knew nor had any personal relationship with the deceased but prayed for the repose of his soul.

"I doubt if I ever met or knew Rogba Ajayi. May his soul rest in peace. Whoever killed him will never know peace," he said.

The federal lawmaker also warned that he would institute legal proceedings against Governor Adeleke after the expiration of the governor's constitutional immunity, citing Section 308 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"I can assure you we shall meet in court after your immunity expires," Oke stated.

His response comes days after Governor Adeleke, during a visit to Esa-Oke to sympathise with the family of the deceased, accused some opposition leaders of allegedly breeding political thugs and called on security agencies to investigate those responsible for the killing.

The exchange has further heightened political tension in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, as both camps continue to trade accusations over the recent wave of political violence.