A fresh political controversy has emerged in Osun State following allegations surrounding the reported abduction of Shakiru Babatunde, a media aide to Governor Ademola Adeleke, with the state government and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) offering conflicting accounts while police investigations continue.
The dispute began after the Osun APC alleged that Babatunde’s reported kidnap was staged, accusing unnamed individuals of attempting to create political tension in the state ahead of future political activities.
In a statement issued by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the APC claimed that Babatunde and some alleged accomplices were apprehended by officers attached to the Dugbe Divisional Headquarters in Osogbo. The party further alleged that the governor’s aide confessed to orchestrating the incident, though no official police statement has been released to confirm the claim.
The allegations have intensified political exchanges between the ruling administration in the state and the opposition party, with both sides urging the public to await the outcome of investigations.
Responding to the claims, Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, rejected allegations that government officials attempted to interfere with the investigation or influence police actions.
Rasheed specifically dismissed claims that the governor’s Chief of Staff, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, sought to cover up the matter or offered inducements to investigators. He maintained that the state government had formally reported the incident and remained committed to allowing security agencies conduct their work without interference.
According to him, the administration is awaiting the conclusion of the police investigation and urged residents to disregard information capable of undermining confidence in public institutions or prejudicing ongoing inquiries.
The controversy has been further complicated by the absence of an official position from the police. When contacted, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said he had not yet received details of the matter and therefore could not provide an official update.
The lack of a formal police statement has left several questions unanswered, with political observers calling for clarity from law enforcement authorities to prevent speculation and misinformation.
The development comes against a backdrop of heightened political activities in Osun State, where allegations and counter-allegations between political actors have increasingly dominated public discourse.
As investigations continue, attention remains focused on the police, whose findings are expected to determine the facts surrounding the reported abduction and address the competing claims made by both the APC and the state government.
Until then, the circumstances surrounding the incident remain the subject of official inquiry, with stakeholders urging restraint and adherence to due process.
