APC Member Shot in Osogbo Ahead of August Gubernatorial Election
An All Progressives Congress partisan suffered gunshot wounds on Saturday during an ambush by suspected political mercenaries in Osogbo. The violent encounter occurred against the backdrop of escalating tensions as the state prepares for its upcoming gubernatorial election scheduled for August 2026.
Key Highlights
- Taofeek Mustapha, an active member of the All Progressives Congress, survived an assassination attempt in Osogbo.
- The victim was targeted specifically for wearing a branded campaign cap supporting the APC gubernatorial candidate.
- The Osun State Police Command confirmed the incident and has launched a comprehensive investigation into the assault.
- The shooting follows a boycotted peace accord meeting that both the ruling Accord Party and the APC failed to attend.
A member of the All Progressives Congress, Taofeek Mustapha, was shot on Saturday by suspected political thugs in Osogbo.
This is as the state governorship election scheduled to take place in August 2026 draws closer.
The State Police Command confirmed the incident which happened in the Oluode-Aranyin area of the state.
The attack is said to have heightened concerns as rival political camps clash across the state.
The victim, who survived the shooting pointed out that he was targeted by the thugs because he was wearing a political cap associated with the APC candidate.
βI put on the AMBO crested cap when the shooting occurred. Everyone ran to safety and they pursued me because I was wearing the APC candidate cap. I did not wait but was shot. I cried for help before they retrieved back into the vehicle and drove away,β he said.
The spokesperson for the State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, stated that an official investigation has already commenced to unravel those behind the attack.
Recall that the police, alongside other security agencies and electoral stakeholders, convened a peace meeting to encourage political parties to commit to a peaceful campaign and election.
However, the ruling Accord Party and the APC did not show up for the meeting.
Future Outlook
The volatile political climate in Osun State suggests that security forces will likely intensify deployments ahead of the August 2026 polls. With major political entities like the Accord Party and the APC shunning collaborative peace initiatives, local civil society organizations are projecting a heightened risk of localized skirmishes. Observers anticipate stricter enforcement of public order acts to curb the visual targeting of party sympathizers in volatile hotspots.
FAQs
Who was the victim of the political shooting in Osogbo?
The victim was Taofeek Mustapha, an active member of the All Progressives Congress political party.
Where exactly did the violent encounter take place?
The shooting occurred in the Oluode-Aranyin area located within Osogbo, the capital of Osun State.
Why was Taofeek Mustapha targeted by the assailants?
The victim stated that he was singled out and pursued by the armed thugs because he was openly wearing an AMBO crested campaign cap associated with the APC candidate.
What pre-election peace measures were attempted prior to the shooting?
The State Police Command, alongside electoral stakeholders and various security agencies, had previously convened a joint peace meeting intended to secure commitments for a non-violent electoral campaign.
Did the main political parties participate in the scheduled peace meeting?
No, the ruling Accord Party and the opposition All Progressives Congress both failed to attend the security and peace stakeholders conference.
