By John Dike, Osogbo
Governor Ademola Adeleke has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State of attempting to manipulate the forthcoming governorship election, saying voters would resist any attempt to undermine their mandate.
He made the allegation while reacting to recent statements by the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke described the recent assurances by APC leaders that they would support free and fair elections as an “afterthought” aimed at masking what he called earlier threats to manipulate the electoral process.
According to the governor, several APC supporters had previously made statements and social media posts suggesting the use of “federal might” to override the will of the electorate.
“The Osun APC campaign operatives have issued several warnings and social media posts to use federal might to override popular votes. What has suddenly changed that Mr Oyebamiji now speaks about free and fair elections?” the governor asked.
Adeleke said the assurances from the opposition should be treated with caution by the public, insisting that Osun residents must remain vigilant in the lead-up to the polls.
He also urged the APC and its leaders to apologise for what he described as previous threats to forcibly take over the state government irrespective of the outcome of the election.
The governor further accused the opposition of attempting to weaken his political platform, the Accord Party, and interfering with governance at the grassroots level.
Adeleke called on federal agencies operating in the state to remain neutral and ensure that the electoral process is conducted in a transparent and credible manner.
While appealing for calm, the governor commended what he described as the growing vigilance among voters, including the emergence of ward-level groups committed to protecting the integrity of the election.
“My team, my party and I are committed to mobilisation for a free and fair contest in which the votes of the people must count,” he said.
The governor also reaffirmed his commitment to peaceful campaigns and electoral processes devoid of violence.
“I strongly believe that I have the backing of the overwhelming majority of Osun people to continue the innovative agenda that has repositioned the state,” he added.
The Osun governorship election is scheduled to hold on August 15, 2026, with political parties intensifying preparations for the polls.
