Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure a free, fair, and credible governorship election on August 15, warning that any attempt to manipulate the process could trigger a political crisis similar to the violence that followed the disputed 1983 elections.
Speaking on Monday during a campaign rally at Orita-Sabo in Olorunda Local Government Area, Adeleke accused leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state of allegedly fueling political tension and intimidation ahead of the polls.
Addressing the President directly, the governor said Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief, must intervene to prevent electoral malpractice and rein in security agencies, particularly the police, whom he accused of harassing members of the Accord Party .
“Mr. President, I am the Chief Security Officer of Osun State. You are a Yoruba man, and Osun is part of Yorubaland. Your party leaders are allegedly promoting political violence while you look the other way,” Adeleke said.
He further warned that any attempt to compromise the election could lead to a repeat of the political unrest experienced after the controversial 1983 governorship election in the old Ondo State.
“All we demand is a free and fair election. If anyone attempts to rig the election, the political crisis of 1983 may repeat itself. Call your party leaders and the police authorities to order. Protect the democracy you fought for,” he added.
Adeleke also noted that the Accord Party had already endorsed President Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, questioning why, despite that support, political tension was still escalating in Osun.
Earlier at the rally, the Director-General of the Imole Campaign Council, Senator Lere Oyewumi, urged residents to turn out in large numbers on election day to vote for Governor Adeleke’s re-election. He said the governor’s performance in office deserved another mandate and called on supporters to protect their votes throughout the electoral process.
