Esa-Oke killing: Don’t politicise Rogba Ajayi’s death, APC tells Adeleke

...Says allegations against Wole Oke are baseless

By Sunday Oguntuyi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ward 7, Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State, has called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to refrain from politicising the death of Mr. Rogba Ajayi, insisting that the circumstances surrounding the incident should be left to security agencies to investigate.

The party also dismissed allegations linking the Director-General of the Osun APC Campaign Council and member representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, Hon. Oluwole Oke, to the incident, describing the claims as unfounded and politically motivated.

Addressing journalists in Esa-Oke on Friday, former Special Adviser to ex-Governor Adegboyega Oyetola on Public Health, Prof. Siji Olamiju, said the APC considered it necessary to respond to what it described as attempts by political actors to exploit the tragedy for partisan purposes.

According to Olamiju, the death of Rogba Ajayi was a tragic incident that had thrown the Esa-Oke community into mourning and should not be used for political propaganda.

“The death of a young man should never become an opportunity for political point-scoring. Such actions are insensitive to the grief of the bereaved family and detrimental to the pursuit of justice,” he said.

He expressed concern over attempts to link the incident to politics before the conclusion of police investigations.

“We are particularly concerned that certain individuals have hastily linked this unfortunate incident to politics without allowing the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to conclude their investigations. Justice can only be achieved through a thorough, impartial and professional investigation, not through speculation, political rhetoric or media trials,” Olamiju stated.

The APC chieftain maintained that neither the party in Ward 7 nor Hon. Wole Oke had any connection with the circumstances surrounding Ajayi’s death.

“It is important to emphasise that the APC Ward 7 and Hon. Wole Oke have absolutely no connection whatsoever with the circumstances surrounding the death of Rogba Ajayi. Attempts to implicate the party or Hon. Wole Oke are entirely baseless, politically motivated and unsupported by any credible evidence,” he said.

He appealed to Governor Adeleke and other political office holders to exercise restraint and allow law enforcement agencies to carry out their constitutional responsibilities without interference or premature conclusions.

Olamiju also called on the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to conduct what he described as a comprehensive, transparent and unbiased investigation.

He urged investigators to pursue all credible leads and invite every individual whose testimony may assist in uncovering the circumstances surrounding the incident, including those mentioned during the briefing and any other persons considered relevant by investigators.

According to him, no one should be exempted from lawful investigation, while no individual should be presumed guilty without due process.

He noted that although different accounts of the incident were circulating within the community, only the outcome of a credible investigation should determine the facts.

The APC therefore appealed to residents of Esa-Oke to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and cooperate fully with security agencies.

Olamiju reiterated the party’s commitment to the rule of law, justice and accountability, stressing that anyone found culpable after a lawful and impartial investigation should face the full weight of the law, irrespective of political affiliation or social status.

He also urged political stakeholders to honour the memory of the deceased by allowing truth, justice and due process to prevail over politics and unfounded accusations.

The APC spokesman concluded by praying for God to grant the family of the deceased the strength to bear the loss.