Posted by From Seun Adeoye, Osogbo on
UNIDENTIFIED gunmen yesterday morning shot dead an Osun State Alliance for Democracy (AD) chieftain, Alhaji Suleiman Alabi Hussein Olajokun, around Gbongan junction, Osun State.
UNIDENTIFIED gunmen yesterday morning shot dead an Osun State Alliance for Democracy (AD) chieftain, Alhaji Suleiman Alabi Hussein Olajokun, around Gbongan junction, Osun State.
Also the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Jide Omoworare, was reportedly attacked and kidnapped around the same time and spot.
Omoworare was said to have been taken to Oyo town. His vehicle was also reportedly taken away.
Olajokun, 50, was a Lagos-based businessman and one of the financiers of a group called "Oranmiyan" known to be sponsoring Lagos State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola for the Osun State governorship race.
He was said to be returning to Lagos in a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) when the assailants attacked and killed him.
Olajokun was reported to have been in Ifon-Osun, Irepodun Council on Saturday where he donated about N30, 000 during a Moslem programme where Aregbesola was invited as the chief launcher.
After the event, Olajokun, an indigene of Ilobu, The Guardian learnt, entertained over 100 members of the Oranmiyan group in his home at Ilobu and later attended series of AD meetings at Ikirun from where he returned at about 8.p.m. to Ilobu.
Briefing reporters yesterday, Aregbesola decried the killing of the AD chieftain and accused the state government of the dastardly act, saying the comments of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola in recent time made him the first suspect.
According to him, one of his aides allegedly had a meeting a few days ago to plan the elimination of known opponents, including himself.
He described Oyinlola's action as Lagos State military administrator and his last interview on the state radio and television as pointers to his violent attributes.
But Media Assistant to the Governor, Bamidele Salami, regretted that such a heinous crime as murder was being politicised by the AD.
"Politicising such a crime is a serious issue. Oyinlola has proved himself to be a man of peace and no amount of provocation can force him to change his style. Everybody can testify to it that in the last two years, we have enjoyed peace. The state cannot be taken back to what it was between 1999 and 2003", he said.
The state Police Commissioner, Audu Abubakar, said the murder of the AD chieftain was being investigated with a view to bringing the assailants to justice.
He said the state police command would not fold its arms while the lives of residents were put in jeopardy.
The remains of the assassinated AD leader were buried yesterday at Ilobu according to Islamic rites.