Osun State, Nigeria (Running Africa) — Nigeria’s opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) says the nephew of its Osun governorship campaign Director-General, Wole Oke, has been shot dead in Esa-Oke, days before the state’s closely watched governorship election.

Dele Ayegbo was reportedly killed on Wednesday night near his home in the Idofin area of Esa-Oke, Obokun Local Government Area, in an attack the APC has linked to suspected political violence.

The party said another APC member was wounded in the shooting and taken to the hospital for treatment.

The killing comes amid heightened political tensions ahead of the August 15 Osun governorship election, with rival parties trading accusations as security concerns increasingly overshadow the final days of campaigning.

APC Says Dele Ayegbo Shot Dead in Esa-Oke

According to the APC, suspected political thugs opened fire on Ayegbo and another party member near his residence on Wednesday night.

The party said Ayegbo died at the scene, while the second victim survived and was transported to the hospital.

Authorities have not publicly established a motive for the shooting or confirmed that the attack was politically motivated.

The APC has called on the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the killing and identify those responsible.

APC Accuses Accord Party Supporters

The APC alleged that supporters of the Accord Party were responsible for the attack.

However, the party did not provide evidence supporting the allegation, and responsibility for the killing has not been independently established.

The accusation comes amid increasingly heated exchanges between the APC and Accord Party as campaigning reaches its final stage.

The incident risks further escalating tensions in an election already attracting significant scrutiny over security and the possibility of political violence.

Security Concerns Grow Ahead of August 15 Osun Election

The APC has urged security agencies to strengthen their presence across Osun State ahead of Saturday’s vote, warning that violence could discourage voters and political supporters from participating.

Concerns over electoral violence, intimidation, and voter security have become increasingly prominent as the election approaches.

Political parties and security authorities now face pressure to ensure voters can cast their ballots without fear and that reported incidents of violence are investigated transparently.

Political Tensions Escalate Ahead of Osun Governorship Vote

The killing adds another layer of uncertainty to an increasingly contentious Osun governorship election.

With voting scheduled for August 15, attention is turning to how security agencies respond to the latest incident and whether tensions between rival political camps can be contained.

For now, the circumstances surrounding Ayegbo’s death remain under investigation, while the APC’s allegations against Accord Party supporters remain unproven.

The incident is likely to intensify calls for restraint, accountability, and heightened security as Osun voters prepare to head to the polls.