By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Tuesday spoke extensively on the shenanigans of opposition elements on the forthcoming Osun governorship elections, charging voters to resist election riggers and protect their votes at all cost.
Addressing a mammoth crowd of cooperative members who endorsed him for re-election at the Freedom Park, Osogbo, the Governor berated the state’sb chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for its alleged anti-people record while in and out of power, urging the people to mobilise for voting and stand by their votes to ward off electoral bandits.
“When they were in power, they misruled and misgoverned. We came in and implemented pro-people policies, programmes and projects. Now they are seeking to steal elections and force their ways into power. Resist them with your ballots.
“Troop out to vote. If you see strangers in your polling units, challenge them. If they offer you money, it is your money, collect it and vote against them.
“Collect the money and report them to law enforcement agents. It is our money; it is your money. Collect their money and vote Imole for continuity of good governance
“We must protect our democratic gains. During campaigns, they told you it was not possible to pay up the half salaries and pension debt. I came in and I am paying that debt.
“They abandoned several projects, I am completing them. They said Ile Ife does not deserve a flyover bridge. They ignored Ilesa’s request for dualisation of Palace to Brewery junction road. In their governance, impossibility is their watch words.
“In our government, impossibility became a possibility. We are upgrading infrastructures at Iwo, Ilesa, Ila Orangun, Ile Ife, Ikirun among others. Osogbo has changed. We are the real progressives.
“They claim to be Awolowo’s people, yet they worked against the people all the way. The last time a government gave grants to the cooperative movement was in 1952. We came in and we approved almost N4 billion naira and disbursed almost Two Billion naira as at now”, the governor who spoke in Yoruba language , said.
“In their hatred for the people, they hijacked almost N230 billion of Osun local government funds. They are sharing it among themselves. They are giving Mr President a bad image. They dropped Mr President’s name to treat the people badly.
“If not for the evil hijacking of the Osun LG fund, our administration would have disbursed more funds to the cooperative movement in Osun State. They disrupted local administration; they imposed hardship on local workers and pensioners”, the governor told the cheering crowd.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Cooperative Movement has unanimously endorsed the governor for a second term in the forthcoming governorship elections.
The Osun State Cooperative Movement, a conglomerate representing over seven million cooperative members across Osun State said the endorsement was in recognition of the governor’s full committment to the expansion of cooperative movement in the state.
Speaking at a well-attended gathering of cooperative leaders and members at Freedom park, Osogbo, the Executive Secretary of the Federation of Osun Cooperative (FOSCOP), Tiamiyu Adeoye stated that the decision to endorse the Governor was unanimous and based on his administration’s unprecedented support for the cooperative sector.
According to the executive secretary, the cooperative movement in the old Western Region last experienced such remarkable governmental backing during the era of Obafemi Awolowo as Premier of the Western Region.
He recalled that in 1952, Awolowo’s administration made a historic intervention by providing one million pounds to strengthen cooperative societies, a gesture that significantly transformed the sector at the time.
“We have witnessed different administrations in Osun State over the years,” the Chairman said.
“However, none has demonstrated the level of commitment and genuine partnership with cooperative societies as seen under Governor Ademola Adeleke. His support mirrors the visionary leadership once provided by Chief Awolowo.”
He emphasized that Governor Adeleke’s recent interventions and financial support to cooperative societies across the state have revitalized grassroots economic activities, empowered small-scale entrepreneurs, and strengthened community-based development
On behalf of the entire cooperative family in Osun State, the leadership formally declared their endorsement of Governor Adeleke for a second term, pledging their continued support toward sustaining inclusive growth and economic empowerment.
A top cooperative leader, Muhammed Olasunkanmi Muibi who is an APC chieftain from Ifon-Orolu, also endorsed the governor for second term based on his performance in office.
He commended the Governor’s performance across the sectors, tasking cooperators to vote and monitor their votes for the continuity of the good job the governor is doing for the people of Osun state.
Despite his longstanding affiliation with the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Muibi acknowledged the impact of the Governor’s “Imole” mantra and called on cooperative members statewide to support and return Governor Adeleke to office in the August 2026 gubernatorial election.
Welcoming the guests earlier, the Commissioner for Cooperatives and Empowerment, Hon. Bayo Ogungbangbe reassured the cooperative members that the administration remain committed to the expansion of grants and policy support to the cooperative movement in the state.
According to the Commissioner, the governor has demonstrated faith and passion for the development of the cooperative movement, citing several initiatives which he said will continue unabated.
He congratulated the cooperative family for embracing continuity, urging them to become Imole ambassadors in their various communities.
The governor was accompanied by the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi; Matron General of Osun cooperative movement, Yeye Modupeola Adeleke -Sanni; House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun; the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Teslim Igbalaye; Head of Service, Elder Samuel Ayanleye; members of the State Assembly; members of the State Executive Council; State Chairman of Accord, Pastor Victor Akande and other dignitaries.
