…arresting us won’t stop Adeleke’s re-election, Accord leaders insist

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene over alleged killings, intimidation and illegal detention of residents in the state ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Adeleke, who spoke at a campaign rally in Osogbo on Monday, warned that the people of the state would resist any attempt to rig the election, urging the President to prevent a repeat of the electoral violence witnessed in the old Western Region.

The governor said, “Osun is bleeding,” alleging that some residents had been killed while others were being intimidated or detained illegally.

“Mr President, something is happening in Osun State that you need to know. Our people are being killed on a daily basis. Elements within the police are aiding APC thugs to kill our people,” Adeleke alleged.

He recalled the 1983 political crisis in the old Western Region, particularly the controversy surrounding the election in Ondo State, and urged the Federal Government to ensure that history did not repeat itself.

“We do not want history to repeat itself. What we want is a free, fair, and credible election,” he said.

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Adeleke claimed that seven Accord Party members had been killed in the last three months, while more than 20 others sustained gunshot injuries and over 60 remained in what he described as illegal police detention.

He also alleged that some APC members were invoking President Tinubu’s name while carrying out acts of violence against residents.

“The shedding of blood of the innocents should stop. Osun APC members are dropping Mr President’s name to kill and maim Osun people. The name of Mr President is being dragged in the mud,” he said.

The governor appealed to President Tinubu, whom he said the Accord Party and his administration had endorsed for the 2027 presidential election, to call the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, to order.

“Mr President, you fought for democracy; do not allow your brother to undermine it,” Adeleke said, alleging that Oyetola was responsible for what he described as the crisis within the APC in Osun State.

Adeleke also accused the police of being compromised and urged the security agencies to act professionally and impartially.

“The police have been compromised. Mr President should direct the police to act professionally and impartially. The international community is watching, and this election will be seen as a test ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he said.

The governor expressed confidence in his chances of winning the election if it was conducted freely and fairly.

“With God on my side, I am confident of victory. If this election is free and fair, I will win,” he said, urging supporters to come out on August 15 to vote and remain at polling areas until their votes were counted and results declared.

Also speaking at the rally, Accord Party leaders said the alleged arrest and killing of party members would not prevent Adeleke’s re-election bid.

The Director-General of the Imole Campaign, Senator Lere Oyewumi, alleged that the APC, in collaboration with some police personnel, had begun arresting Accord leaders.

He said the alleged violence and arrests would not deter the governor’s supporters from voting.

“Osun people are resolved to vote and defend their votes. The voters’ support for Governor Adeleke is because of his good performance. Killing innocent people only strengthens the resolve of the people to re-elect the governor,” Oyewumi said.

The Deputy Director-General of the campaign, Hon. Kolapo Alimi, alleged that several Accord leaders had been arrested overnight and that some of their properties were vandalised.

He vowed that the alleged arrests would not weaken the party’s support ahead of the election.

“Arresting us won’t change the popular acceptance of Accord. We won’t be intimidated,” Alimi said.

The Accord Party’s Osun Central senatorial candidate, Hon. Ganiyu Olaoluwa, also warned that those responsible for the alleged killings and arrests would face the anger of the electorate.

Meanwhile, in a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke said the August 15 governorship election had attracted national and international attention.

According to the statement, embassies and human rights organisations had filed reports concerning alleged human rights abuses in the state.

It added that the people of Osun State would not bow to threats or intimidation but would insist that their votes count.