The spokesperson to Governor Ademola Adeleke, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, has dismissed allegations of violence levelled against the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, describing them as fabricated claims aimed at distracting the public from what he termed the escalating campaign of violence allegedly associated with the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Rasheed, in a statement issued on Thursday, maintained that Akinleye is a peace-loving politician who has consistently demonstrated commitment to democratic values and peaceful political engagement.
According to the governor's spokesperson, the allegations against the Chief of Staff amount to a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation of a respected political figure.
"It is quite distasteful that the Osun APC is employing crooked means to target a good man with outright lies in an attempt to impugn his character before unsuspecting members of the public," Rasheed stated.
He described Akinleye as a politician widely respected for his calm disposition and commitment to pursuing political objectives through lawful and peaceful means.
Rasheed further alleged that those accusing Akinleye of violence were attempting to divert attention from recent incidents of political unrest in the state. He accused the opposition party of associating with individuals allegedly linked to recent violent attacks in Osun.
The statement referenced recent shootings in Owode-Ede and Osogbo, which reportedly resulted in the death of one person and injuries to others, alleging that some APC-affiliated elements were connected to the incidents.
Defending the Chief of Staff, Rasheed insisted that Akinleye is a thoroughbred democrat who respects citizens' rights to political choice and has never engaged in coercive politics.
He also described recent videos and statements circulated by APC figures as part of a broader political strategy designed to damage Akinleye's image ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election.
The governor's spokesperson reiterated that the Adeleke administration has consistently condemned violence and called for decisive action against perpetrators, irrespective of political affiliation.
Rasheed, however, expressed dissatisfaction with what he described as the failure of security agencies to adequately address recent incidents of political violence in the state.
He cited the killing of Accord Party member Kolade Eluyera in May and the shooting of the Accord Party Chairman in Osogbo Local Government, Asimiyu Ajibola, on June 3, 2026, as examples of incidents requiring thorough investigation and prosecution.
The statement also referenced an alleged attack involving political thugs operating in campaign-branded vehicles, lamenting that no arrests had been made despite claims that the identities of the attackers were known.
Rasheed described attempts to link Akinleye to violence as reprehensible and urged police authorities to conduct an unbiased and transparent investigation into the allegations being circulated against the Chief of Staff.
He also called for scrutiny of claims involving officers of the Zone II Police Headquarters, arguing that such allegations could undermine public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force if left unaddressed.
Reaffirming the position of the Osun State Government, Rasheed stressed that Governor Adeleke's administration remains firmly opposed to violence in all forms and does not condone acts capable of threatening public peace.
He concluded by urging law enforcement agencies to take firm action against individuals involved in political violence in the state and ensure the protection of lives and property ahead of the governorship election.
The statement was signed by Mallam Olawale Rasheed, spokesperson to the Governor of Osun State.
