Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State on Monday warned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that the rising wave of politically motivated violence and killings in the state poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Speaking at a political gathering, Adeleke alleged that selective arrests and the killing of members of the Accord Party were creating conditions similar to the political crisis that engulfed the old Western Region after the 1983 elections, resulting in widespread violence and destruction across parts of the former Oyo and Ondo states.
The governor expressed concern over what he described as President Tinubu’s silence on the escalating pre-election violence in Osun, urging him to intervene before the situation deteriorates further.
“Mr. President, something is happening in Osun that you have not intervened in. They are killing our people. You are the President and the father of all Nigerians. Osun has made it clear that it will not allow election rigging. There will be no rigging in Osun. Remember what happened in 1983. We want a free and fair election,” Adeleke said.
Addressing the gathering in Yoruba, the governor reiterated his appeal to Tinubu, accusing security agencies of bias and insisting that Osun residents would resist any attempt to manipulate the election.
“President Tinubu, I am passing this message to you. Osun will not accept any rigging. We will come out in large numbers to vote and defend our votes. Don’t allow the events of 1983 to repeat themselves in Osun,” he declared.
Adeleke also called on the President to caution the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, alleging that his actions were contributing to political tension in the state.
“You fought for democracy. Don’t allow Oyetola to destroy everything. He is the one who has divided the APC in Osun and is fighting everyone,” the governor alleged.
Reflecting on the 2018 governorship election, Adeleke said he accepted the outcome peacefully at the time but expressed confidence that he would secure victory if the forthcoming election is conducted transparently.
“When I was cheated in 2018, I allowed you to govern. I travelled to America and stayed away. Now I am back, and with what we have achieved, I am confident of winning a second term. What we want is a free and fair election. If the process is credible, I will win,” he stated.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Imole Campaign Council (TICC), Senator Lere Oyewumi, urged voters to remain vigilant after casting their ballots by following the electoral process through to the collation centres and the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stressing the importance of protecting the integrity of their votes.
