By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged Governor Ademola Adeleke to explain what it described as his administration’s alleged preference for running a “hoodlum-friendly” government, as political campaigns intensify ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, the APC accused the governor, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party, of failing to tackle political violence and insecurity since assuming office in November 2022.
The opposition party alleged that Adeleke had failed to condemn the killings of some APC members during the 2022 governorship election and claimed his administration had tolerated individuals allegedly involved in political violence.
According to the APC, the governor had also maintained a strained relationship with the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, alleging that the police chief had remained professional in carrying out his duties despite political pressure.
The statement further alleged that the 2022 governorship election was marred by violence and irregularities, claiming that armed political thugs intimidated voters in some areas, including Ede and Owode. The APC also alleged that about 30 of its members and supporters lost their lives during the election period.
The party argued that Governor Adeleke’s recent comments on the forthcoming election were driven by the belief that he would be unable to allegedly manipulate the process as it claimed happened during the previous governorship poll.
The APC further claimed that internal divisions within the governor’s political camp and the defection of some of his former allies had weakened his support base ahead of the election.
It also accused the governor of poor leadership and alleged mismanagement of state resources, while stating that details of those allegations would be presented at a later date.
Reaffirming its confidence ahead of the August 15 poll, the APC expressed optimism that voters would reject the incumbent administration and elect its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO).
Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Accord Party had not responded to the APC’s allegations as of the time this report was filed.
