The Campaign Councils of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and that of Governor Ademola Adeleke in Osun State, were locked in war of words, yesterday, over protection and release of criminals.
While the APC campaigb accused Governor Adeleke of clandestinely releasing notorious criminals from prison using his prerogative of mercy power, the Imole Campaign Council described the allegation as propaganda, saying the Governor has not exercised such power in recent time.
The Director-General, Osun Central of the APC campaign council, Mr Adebayo Adeleke, alleged that within the last two months, the Governor has released some notorious criminals, saying the only reason behind his action is to deploy them to cause chaos ahead of the August 15 poll.
Adebayo Adeleke said: “Within the last eight weeks, some hardened criminals in prison have been released and the Governor reportedly released them on a prerogative of mercy.
“Some of them are Sahid Sabo, Taoreed Ademola aka Small Rugged, Esubiyi who was in jail for murder, Farounbi from Ede, Amos Ayomide Aderibigbe, a close ally of Emir Ajagungbade, who defiled a five year old girl.
“Some of them are either standing trials for various crimes, including murder, some of them have been convicted. Those released, particularly Small Rugged have reportedly been involved series of attacks and killings after his release from prison.
“The governor should explaine to the whole world the rationale behind the release of these criminals. The whole world should ask the Governor and the Chief Judge the reasons these criminals were released few days to the election.”
He said:that the council has intelligence report that some APC members have been penned down for attack by the Accord Party, using Amotekun personnel for the nefarious act.
“There was meeting of Accord and government leadership that a week to the election, they will strike by trailing leaders of APC and kill them. The plan is to use Amotekun for these criminal activities,” he added.
