By Peter Omopo
A member of the House of Representatives and Director-General of the Osun State Governorship Campaign Council, Oluwole Oke, has denied allegations linking him and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the killing of an Accord Party member, Ajayi Aderogba, popularly known as Rogba.
Aderogba was reportedly shot dead on Tuesday in Esa-Oke, Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State, during preparations for a political rally in support of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s second-term bid.
The allegations were made by the spokesperson for the Adeleke Campaign Organisation, Pelumi Olajengbesi, who accused Oke of being behind the attack that led to Aderogba’s death. Olajengbesi claimed that the federal lawmaker had made efforts to frustrate the planned political event in the community prior to the incident.
Responding to the allegations, Oke, through a statement issued by his media aide, Tunde Omolebi-Sunday, described the claims as false, misleading and unfounded.
The lawmaker expressed shock and sadness over the killing, extending condolences to the family of the deceased, his associates and residents of Esa-Oke.
He faulted attempts to link him and the APC to the incident without the outcome of investigations by security agencies, stressing that such accusations were premature and irresponsible.
According to the statement, neither Oke nor the APC had any connection with the death of Aderogba, adding that any attempt to implicate them without credible evidence should be rejected.
Oke called on the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
The statement further noted that preliminary accounts from members of the community suggested that the incident may have resulted from clashes involving rival groups, with indications of possible reprisal attacks. However, it emphasised that only a comprehensive investigation could establish the true facts of the case.
The federal lawmaker also urged political stakeholders and residents to remain calm, avoid inflammatory statements and allow security agencies to carry out their duties professionally.
He warned against politicising a matter involving loss of life, stressing that issues of such gravity should not be reduced to political rhetoric.
Oke appealed to residents of the area to uphold peace, truth and lawful conduct while awaiting the outcome of official investigations into the incident.
