Ademola Adeleke has criticised the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over alleged threats to deploy federal power ahead of the upcoming governorship election.
Adeleke also stressed that federal authority should be used for governance and development, not for manipulating electoral processes.
Speaking in Osogbo on Saturday during a meeting with leaders and ward officials of the Accord political structure from the state’s 332 wards, the governor warned that any attempt to intimidate voters before the August 15 poll would not succeed.
The governor accused the state chapter of APC of dragging the name of President Bola Tinubu into anti-democratic rhetoric about using federal institutions to influence the election outcome.
According to him, “the President is focused on governance and national development rather than interfering in electoral processes in the state.
“The President is using federal power to deliver on good governance, such as the reconstruction of the Ibadan–Ilesa road and the implementation of student loan programmes.”
He added, “Neither the President nor the top leaders around him support threats by the Osun APC to disrupt the forthcoming election.”
Governor Adeleke urged residents of Osun to remain vigilant and participate actively in the electoral process, stressing that their votes would determine the eventual winner of the governorship contest.
“Our people insist on free and fair elections. Only electoral bandits boast of rigging in a democracy,” the governor said.
At the meeting, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lasun Yusuf, called on party leaders to intensify grassroots mobilisation and ensure the protection of votes during the election.
Also speaking, Senator Olu Alabi urged elders across local government areas to begin preparations aimed at delivering electoral support for Adeleke’s re-election bid.
Similarly, Prof. Wale Oladipo and the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, Sunday Bisi, reaffirmed their backing for the governor, directing party structures to mobilise voters across the state.
Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the APC, Bola Oyebamiji, has said his party would not rely on federal influence to secure victory in the election.
Speaking in Osogbo during a Ramadan lecture organised by Muslim groups in the state last week, Oyebamiji stated that the APC had been consulting widely with traditional rulers and residents across the 30 local government areas.
“There is no way we can rely on federal might. We have consulted men and women across the state and we will continue to work hard until we have the opportunity to lead Osun State” he said.
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