From John Dike, Osogbo
The Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Mr Timothy Owoeye, on Wednesday escaped being assassinated by people suspected to be political thugs.
It took the gallantry of the men of Department of State Services and the Police officers attached to the office of the Speaker to repel the assailants who arrived the premises of the Speaker at around 2am, shooting sporadically at the building.
The Speaker and Ijesa South All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders, stated during a press conference in Ilesa that the attack was also extended to businesses of the lawmaker representing Ilesa West State Constituency, Mr Wale Adedoyin and Mr. Folarin Fafowora, the immediate past Chairman of Ilesa West Central LCDA.
Owoeye stressed that about five members of the APC had been killed in gruesome manner across Eti Oni in Atakumosa East, Oke Aga and Ilesa, saying notable among the dead was the immediate past Secretary of Atakumosa East LCDA.
Owoeye said: “In the early hours of today 22nd February, an assassination attempt was made on my life, if not for divine providence the story would have been different. I want to salute the securitymen who stood their ground to prevent my assailants from carrying out their aim.
“Recall that last week, I released a press release to the world about the killings of Ebenezer Alaro, a member of our party whose only crime was to drive a capstar Truck used to convey the public address system we used for our rally from Monday through Thursday, the guy was trailed home after the Thursday rally and killed in front of his parents’ house.
“I was also informed this morning that an electrification project which I have expended over 15 million naira on in Oke Aga has been destroyed and riddled with bullets. I sympathize with the community who will be thrown into darkness because of this senseless politics.
“The recent happening in Osun is becoming worrisome and needs proper attention from every well-meaning citizens, the return of political thuggery after about 12 years of the APC administration in the state now gives residents and citizens sleepless nights.
“It will not be wrong to say that the change of baton in the government in the state has actually encouraged the return of that dark era of when citizens cannot sleep with their two eyes closed.
“I therefore call on the police to investigate the assassination attempt on my life, the gruesome murder of Alaro and others with a view to ensuring that those involved are brought to Justice.
“I want to believe that such heinous crime if not quickly investigated and perpetrators docked could aggravate an already tensed situation that will lead to breakdown of law and order in the state before and during the forthcoming elections,” he added.
