Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the escalating political situation in the state, alleging that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, is taking actions capable of destabilising Osun ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The governor made the appeal on Monday while addressing supporters during his campaign rally in Olorunda Local Government Area of Osogbo.
He alleged that members of his party had come under attack, with some reportedly losing their lives, and urged the President to ensure that the forthcoming election is conducted in a free, fair and credible manner.
Adeleke also cautioned against any attempt to manipulate the outcome of the poll, insisting that residents of the state were prepared to defend their votes.
“President Bola Tinubu, something is happening in Osun State that you need to know. Our people are being killed, and as our father, we are appealing to you. We will not accept any attempt to rig this election,” Adeleke said.
The governor recalled the political violence that marked the 1983 elections in the South-West, warning that similar events must not be allowed to recur.
“You will remember what happened in 1983. It started in Yorubaland, particularly in Ondo State. We do not want history to repeat itself. What we want is a free, fair and credible election,” he added.
Adeleke further accused the police of failing to remain neutral, urging the Federal Government to channel security efforts towards combating kidnappers and other criminal elements rather than targeting political opponents.
“As the Chief Security Officer of Osun State, I am telling you that our people will come out en masse to vote, and we will protect our votes. Do not allow what happened in 1983 to happen again in Osun State,” Adeleke stated.
The governor reminded the President that he had endorsed Tinubu’s 2027 presidential ambition alongside the Accord Party, questioning why the state was allegedly being subjected to political pressure despite that support.
Following the rally, Adeleke restated his concerns in a post on social media, where he accused Oyetola of threatening the peace of Osun State.
“President Tinubu Should Not Allow Oyetola Set Osun on Fire,” the governor wrote.
He added, “At the campaign rally today in Olorunda local government area, I appealed directly to Mr. President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Osun is bleeding, and our people will not be intimidated. His intervention is needed, the loss of innocent lives in Osun must stop. All we are asking for is simply a free and fair election.”
Calling on Tinubu to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy, Adeleke said the President should act to preserve the democratic values he fought to establish.
He said, “Mr. President must act as the father of this nation and help safeguard the democracy he fought for. I reminded the President that the 2027 general elections are also around the corner, and he should not allow his nephew, Mr. Oyetola, the Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, to ruin his name and the democracy he fought along with many others.”
He added, “It is our collective prayer that as a country, may we never witness such incident as the political violence of 1983 particularly in the southwest. Democracy works when the people freely chose their leaders, a demand not too much for citizen of Osun State to make.”
The governor’s appeal came barely a week after he and the national leadership of the Accord Party adopted President Tinubu as their preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. The party said backing the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate would facilitate the completion of major infrastructure projects initiated by the current administration.
Adeleke’s remarks also followed recent comments by APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, who declared that the ruling party was determined to reclaim Osun in the August 15 governorship election.
Speaking during the inauguration of the APC National Campaign Council, Yilwatda described the governorship poll as a critical test ahead of the 2027 general elections. He said the party would mobilise governors, ministers, lawmakers and local government officials nationwide to secure victory for its candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.
“We must win Osun and nothing will stop us,” Yilwatda declared, adding that the APC would embark on extensive house-to-house campaigns across the state as part of its strategy to reclaim the governorship.
