A member of the House of Representatives and Director-General of the Osun State Governorship Campaign Council, Oluwole Oke, has denied allegations linking him and the All Progressives Congress to the killing of an Accord Party member, Ajayi Aderogba, also known as Rogba.

Aderogba was reportedly shot dead on Tuesday in Esa Oke, Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State, during preparations for a political rally in support of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid.

The spokesperson for the Adeleke Campaign Organisation, Pelumi Olajengbesi, had accused Oke of being responsible for efforts to disrupt the planned political gathering, alleging that the incident occurred after attempts were made to stop the event from holding.

But Oke, in a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Tunde Omolebi-Sunday, described the allegation as unfounded and urged the public not to draw conclusions before security agencies complete their investigation.

The lawmaker said he was saddened by Aderogba’s death and conveyed his sympathies to the victim’s family, friends and residents of Esa Oke.

He said linking him or the APC to the incident without evidence was misleading, stressing that investigations should be allowed to determine those responsible.

Oke also criticised Olajengbesi for making public accusations without what he described as credible findings from the police or other security agencies.

According to the statement, preliminary accounts from the community indicated that the shooting may have been connected to clashes involving rival groups and possible reprisal actions, although it noted that the circumstances could only be established through a thorough investigation.

The federal lawmaker called on the police and other relevant authorities to conduct an impartial probe into the killing and bring those responsible to justice.

He further appealed to political actors and residents to avoid comments capable of heightening tension in the area, insisting that the death should not be exploited for political purposes.

Oke urged stakeholders to allow due process to take its course and maintain peace in the community.