By Seun Ibiyemi
Former Osun State Governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the violence that reportedly claimed two lives in Ikire, headquarters of Irewole Local Government Area of the state.
Oyetola, in a statement issued on Tuesday by his media aide, Dr Bolaji Akinola, also expressed concern over what he described as escalating post-election violence in parts of Osun State.
The minister said the development posed a threat to the peace and democratic values of the state, stressing that neither political interests nor commercial disputes should result in the loss of lives.
“Politics must be a vehicle for development, not a catalyst for bloodshed,” Akinola quoted Oyetola as saying.
He urged the Osun State Police Command and other security agencies to urgently identify those behind the killings and other acts of violence and ensure they face the full weight of the law.
Oyetola also called for the deployment of adequate security personnel to areas considered volatile, urging security agencies to reclaim public spaces allegedly taken over by hoodlums and restore normalcy.
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He expressed condolences to the families of the victims and appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid reprisals or other actions capable of worsening the situation.
The minister warned that continued violence could undermine the development and prosperity of Osun State, urging political actors and residents to prioritise peace and democratic values over political or commercial interests.
Oyetola reaffirmed his commitment to the peace and development of Osun, calling on residents to work together to preserve the state’s reputation for civility, enterprise and democratic participation.
