Osun 2026: Gunfire Erupts At APC Rally In Ilesa, Chaos And Injuries Follow

After armed men attacked the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign rally on Saturday, there was a noticeable sense of tension in Ilesa, Osun State.

It was reported that when the incident happened, APC supporters were marching to Isokun after holding an early morning rally near the Oke-Omiru side of Ilesa.

“We were having an early-morning rally today when we were on our way back to our secretariat,” stated Segun, a party member. At the Osun State House of Assembly, we were ambushed by thugs under the command of a politician.

“The hoodlums shot into the air to scare us, but some of us stayed. We charged at them, and then they fired into the campaign rally, leaving so many members injured.”

“We regrouped for the protest. Hon Akerele mobilised his thugs to the scene again to disrupt the whole thing. We were attacked and maimed. It is so unfortunate.”

“We have taken our members to hospital; a bullet hit a truck driver and some passers-by. One of our members, named Tobi, is currently at Wesley Guild Teaching Hospital.”

Reacting to the development, Hon Olawale Akere explained that “I was driving along Isokun Road when the APC rally met me. They started shooting into the air, but I had my security, who are Amotekun, inside the car. They shot into the air to scare them. Then we left the place.

“I was later called by the DPO that there is an allegation against me that I shot at APC members. I quickly went to the station to honour the invite and state my own side of the story.”

It is high time we put an end to the unnecessary loss of lives in the name of politics. The violence and gunfire that have become almost synonymous with political rallies are unacceptable and deeply troubling. No political ambition should come at the expense of innocent lives. Political parties must take responsibility and work towards creating a safer environment where disagreements are resolved peacefully, without resorting to violence. It is time to prioritize unity, dialogue, and respect over chaos and destruction—our future as a nation depends on it.