Remembering Odunayo Olagbaju, the Lawmaker Who Fell to Violence His Assassination and Nigeria's Ongoing Struggle with Political Violence

These story highlight the tragic story of Odunayo Olagbaju, emphasizing the circumstances of his death, the impact on Nigeria's politics, and the ongoing relevance of his story in discussions about political accountability and violence.

The tragic story of Odunayo Olagbaju, the Osun State lawmaker whose brutal killing in 2001 exposed the deep political tensions of Nigeria’s early Fourth Republic.

EARLY LIFE AND POLITICAL CAREER

Odunayo Olagbaju was a Nigerian politician and lawmaker from Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Though details of his early life remain limited in public records, Olagbaju rose to political prominence in the early 2000s as a member of the Osun State House of Assembly, representing his constituency with strong grassroots appeal.

He was known among constituents for his outspoken views and loyalty to his political allies during a period of intense rivalry between two dominant parties in the South-West — the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

At the time, Osun politics was deeply polarised, with violent confrontations occasionally erupting between rival supporters. Olagbaju’s political activities and alliances placed him in the heart of these tensions.

POLITICAL CONTEXT AND RISING TENSIONS

By 2001, Nigeria’s nascent Fourth Republic, which began in 1999, was struggling with political instability at state and national levels. In Osun State, the rivalry between factions aligned with then-Governor Chief Bisi Akande (AD) and those loyal to Senator Iyiola Omisore (PDP) had become increasingly volatile.

Olagbaju, believed to be politically aligned with Omisore, found himself at the centre of this growing hostility. Reports from that period, including those from The Guardian Nigeria and ThisDay, suggested that political intimidation, propaganda, and targeted attacks were rampant.

ASSASSINATION IN ILE-IFE

On December 19, 2001, Odunayo Olagbaju was stabbed to death by a mob in Ile-Ife, Osun State, in what was widely described as a politically motivated killing. Eyewitnesses reported that he was attacked in broad daylight, and his murder immediately sparked outrage across the country.

His assassination came just days before the high-profile killing of Chief Bola Ige, Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, who was murdered in his Ibadan home on December 23, 2001. Both killings, which occurred within the same week, sent shockwaves through the nation and highlighted the dangers of political violence in Nigeria’s fledgling democracy.

The death of Olagbaju led to violent riots in Ile-Ife and neighbouring towns, resulting in further loss of life and property. The tragedy marked one of the darkest moments in the political history of Osun State.

INVESTIGATION AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Following his murder, several suspects were arrested and arraigned in 2002 in connection with the killing. The investigation, however, became entangled in political controversy, with accusations and counter-accusations between factions of the AD and PDP.

Some suspects were eventually released due to insufficient evidence, and as with many high-profile assassinations in Nigeria, justice was never fully served. The unresolved nature of the case remains a point of criticism regarding the Nigerian justice system’s handling of political crimes.

LEGACY AND IMPACT

Odunayo Olagbaju’s assassination remains symbolic of the violent nature of Nigerian politics in the early 2000s. His death, coupled with that of Bola Ige shortly after, underscored the fragility of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the urgent need for reforms in political culture and security.

Though Olagbaju’s life was cut short, his story continues to be remembered in discussions about political accountability, rule of law, and the cost of political loyalty in Nigeria. His death also marked a turning point in Osun politics, prompting calls for reconciliation and peace in the state’s political landscape.

CONTROVERSY OVER IMAGE IDENTIFICATION

Some later reports and online sources have occasionally misidentified images of Olagbaju as those of Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the former Governor of Oyo State (2003–2006) and prominent businessman. Ladoja, however, was not connected to Olagbaju’s death and continues to be recognised for his political and entrepreneurial career.

This confusion highlights the challenges of preserving historical accuracy in Nigeria’s digital archives, where visual documentation of political figures from earlier decades remains limited.

References

The Guardian Nigeria, “Assassination of Osun Lawmaker Sparks Violence” (December 2001)

ThisDay Live, “Suspects Arraigned for Olagbaju Killing” (February 2002)

Support US @  KAKAKIOODUA Online Media Services for better performance, integrity and credibility

We are dedicated to delivering on-the-spot coverage and this requires a lot of expenses.

We value your readership as we extend our tentacles to national and international daily news updates, in-depth investigations into pressing local and national issues, or political and entertaining trending stories.

It’s essential to acknowledge that news production and on-the-spot coverage incur expenses as we plan to multiply our efforts.

Would you consider supporting us with a modest contribution?

Send your tokens to;

 

Oladimeji Lasore 

 (WHATSAPP+2349052728454)

FIRST BANK

2034494099

ECOBANK

4771101196

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT 

👇 Click to watch video 👇

Daniel Adewole Awe Medical Center is a healthcare facility located in Ilesa, Osun State, providing quality primary and secondary healthcare

‎

‎

‎

‎
‎
‎

‎

‎