Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the escalating political violence in the state, warning against a repeat of the 1983 crisis that rocked the South-West.
Adeleke, who is seeking re-election on the Accord platform, made the appeal on Monday at a campaign rally in Olorunda Local Government Area, where he said the people of Osun would not accept electoral manipulation or intimidation ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The governor also disclosed that the Accord Party and people of Osun had endorsed Tinubu for re-election as president, questioning why violence was being allowed to continue despite the support.
“President Tinubu, you asked us to endorse your re-election which we have done. Why then are they killing our people?” Adeleke queried.
He added: “Don’t let what happened in 1983 repeat itself. President Tinubu, Osun people and the Accord party have endorsed you as our presidential candidate. Why are we suffering? Why is our money being kept?”
Adeleke also accused the police of being compromised and urged the Federal Government to direct security agencies to focus on kidnappers and other criminals.
“The police have become compromised. The kidnappers are there, let them go after them. President Tinubu, I am crying out to you now, so you won’t say I didn’t speak out. I am the chief security officer of Osun state,” he said.
Adeleke Warns Against Repeat Of 1983 Crisis-The governor drew parallels between the current political atmosphere in Osun and the events that followed the 1983 governorship elections in the South-West.
The 1983 elections were held shortly after Shehu Shagari was re-elected president amid widespread allegations of electoral fraud.
At the time, the National Party of Nigeria controlled the Federal Government, while the Unity Party of Nigeria, led by Obafemi Awolowo, held political influence across much of the South-West.
The declaration of NPN candidates as winners in several UPN strongholds triggered allegations of widespread rigging and subsequently contributed to protests, arson, killings and political violence across the region.
With political tensions rising in Osun ahead of the August 15 governorship election, Adeleke warned that the state must not be allowed to return to such a period.
“It is our collective prayer that, as a country, may we never witness such an incident as the political violence of 1983, particularly in the south-west,” he said.
Governor Calls For Oyetola’s Intervention-Adeleke also called on President Tinubu to caution Adegboyega Oyetola, his predecessor as Osun governor and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.
“Oyetola needs to be called to order. We all have children. May the blood of innocent children killed punish those behind the killings. May God punish them,” Adeleke said.
“What’s the problem, President Tinubu? Oyetola has fought everyone.”
The governor subsequently reiterated his appeal in a post on X, insisting that the people of Osun were entitled to a peaceful and credible election.
“At the campaign rally today in Olorunda Local Government Area, I appealed directly to Mr. President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Osun is bleeding, and our people will not be intimidated,” he wrote.
“His intervention is needed. The loss of innocent lives in Osun must stop. All we are asking for is simply a free and fair election.”
Adeleke further urged Tinubu to act as the father of the nation and protect Nigeria’s democratic process. “I reminded the President that the 2027 general elections are also around the corner, and he should not allow his nephew, Mr. Oyetola, the Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, to ruin his name and the democracy he fought along with many others.”
Osun Election Tensions Intensify-The appeal comes amid renewed clashes involving supporters of rival political camps in Osun as parties seek to consolidate their positions ahead of the governorship election.
Adeleke is seeking another term in office under the Accord platform, while the All Progressives Congress is seeking to reclaim the state after four years outside government.
The governor maintained that democracy can only function when citizens are allowed to freely choose their leaders.
He therefore called for an election free from violence, intimidation and manipulation, stressing that protecting lives and ensuring a credible electoral process should remain a collective responsibility. “Democracy only works when the people are allowed to freely choose their leaders.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
