A supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Esa-Oke, Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State, Ayegbo Oluwadele, has been killed, while another party supporter, Taiwo Oluwadele, was reportedly shot during an attack ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

The incident has heightened concerns over the rising cases of political violence in the state as political parties intensify their campaigns ahead of the August 15 poll.

Ayegbo was reportedly shot dead around the Oluwole Oka family compound in Esa-Oke. Taiwo, who was also shot during the incident, was said to be in critical condition.

Ayegbo was the nephew of the Director-General of the APC Campaign Council, Busayo Oluwole Oke, a member of the House of Representatives.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Osun State Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the killing when contacted but declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The spokesperson for the APC Campaign Council, Oluremi Omowaye, also confirmed the attack, alleging that members of rival political parties were responsible for attacks on APC supporters in different parts of the state.

“Unfortunately, we lost Ayegbo Oluwadele. Another member of our party, Taiwo, is still in a very critical condition,” Omowaye said.

He alleged that about 40 APC members had been killed in different incidents, claiming that little had been done to prevent further attacks.

Omowaye also referred to an earlier incident in Ilesa, where he alleged that five people were shot, with four reportedly killed and one hospitalised in critical condition.

He claimed that the victims were attacked for wearing APC caps.

The APC spokesperson further alleged that three other party members in Atakumasa East Local Government Area,  Idowu Laide, Ebuke Emmanuel and Adebiyi Ebeneezer, were attacked.

Another APC chieftain, Kehinde Ayantunji, accused a senior member of the Osun State House of Assembly of attacking APC members in Odo-Otin Local Government Area and alleged that the party’s House of Representatives candidate, Francis Eniade, was also attacked in front of the Okuku Divisional Police Station.

However, the Osun State Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, denied allegations that members of the Accord Party were responsible for attacks on APC supporters.

The latest incident comes amid heightened political tension in Osun State as the major contenders prepare for Saturday’s governorship election.