With days to the August 15 Osun governorship election, the political battle between the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Governor Ademola Adeleke has intensified, following accusations over alleged violence, election credibility and political tension in the state.
The APC accused Adeleke of making inflammatory remarks against President Bola Tinubu and its leaders, describing the governor’s concerns over possible rigging and a repeat of the 1983 political crisis as an attempt to discredit the party ahead of the poll.
Adeleke had, during a campaign rally in Osogbo, called on President Tinubu to intervene in what he described as attacks and killings in the state, urging the President to ensure a free and fair election.
“There won’t be rigging in Osun. Remember what happened in 1983. It started in Yorubaland. When they cheated Bola Ige and Ajasin, Osun will not agree. We want a free and fair election”, he said.
However, APC National Secretary, Surajudeen Bashiru, rejected the allegations, saying the governor was raising concerns out of fear of losing the election.
“His outburst was born out of fear of imminent defeat”. Bashiru said, urging Adeleke to focus on his administration’s performance rather than making allegations.
The APC also faulted the governor’s record in infrastructure and education, while accusing his administration of failing to address key challenges in the state.
The party’s Osun Governorship Campaign Council Director General, Oluwole Oke, described Adeleke’s remarks as “reckless, inflammatory and seditious”, while rejecting claims that the Federal Government was withholding funds meant for local governments in the state.
Oke further accused the governor of attempting to portray President Tinubu as an opponent of Osun residents, while also demanding explanations over funds received by the state.
The exchange adds to the growing political tension ahead of the election, which is seen as a continuation of the rivalry between the APC and Adeleke’s administration following the closely contested 2022 governorship poll.
