Governor Ademola Adeleke has declared that Osun residents will resist any attempts to rig the August 15 governorship election, invoking the potential repeat of the political violence that erupted in the Old Western Region and culminated in a military putsch.
Mr Adeleke, who made the remarks on Monday while addressing his supporters at Orita-Sabo in Olorunda council area, said residents would actively participate in the election and do everything possible to protect their votes.
Citing his personal support and the Accord Party’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027, Mr Adeleke stated, “President Tinubu, I’m passing this message to you. What do you want Osun to do? We have endorsed you. What happened? They are killing us. They are killing Yoruba people. The police have been compromised. The kidnappers are there, (but) the police are not doing anything about it.
“President Tinubu, I am using this medium to tell you, so you would not say I did not make an outcry. I am the chief security officer of Osun state. President Tinubu, I am passing this message to you, Osun will not accept any rigging. We will go out en masse and vote and defend our votes. I am repeating it. Don’t let what happened in 1983 repeat itself.”
In 1983, a political crisis in the old Ondo state snowballed into deadly riots and arson in Akure, Ibadan, and Ondo, with government buildings, Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) offices, and properties belonging to National Party of Nigeria (NPN) politicians set alight because Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) Governor Adekunle Ajasin was controversially declared defeated by Akin Omoboriowo of the NPN. Amid the conflagration, the military gang of Muhammadu Buhari toppled the civilian government of President Shehu Shagari.
Mr Adeleke alleged that former governor Adegboyega Oyetola was responsible for obstructing the disbursement of funds meant for Osun.
Mr Adeleke stated, “President Tinubu, Osun people and Accord Party have endorsed you as our presidential candidate. Why are we suffering? Why is our money being kept? Oyetola needs to be called to order. We all gave birth to children. Over the innocent blood of other people’s children being killed, God will take revenge.
“What happened? President Tinubu: he (Mr Oyetola) is fighting with everyone. He is the one who is making you fight with everyone. Oyetola needs to be called to order.”
The governor’s appeal for a credible and violence-free election comes 11 days before the off-cycle governorship election. Fourteen political parties are expected to participate in the contest.