“President Tinubu, the people of Osun, and the Accord Party have all endorsed you for 2027 as our candidate. Why are thugs still attacking and killing us over politics.”
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the forthcoming August 15 governorship election in the state is conducted under conditions that guarantee fairness, transparency and peace, warning that any attempt to manipulate the electoral process could plunge the state into a crisis similar to the political unrest that followed Nigeria’s disputed elections in 1983.
The governor made the remarks on Monday while addressing hundreds of supporters at Orita-Sabo in Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun State during a political gathering attended by party faithful and residents.
His comments come at a time when political activities have intensified across Osun ahead of the governorship election, with parties stepping up campaigns and supporters mobilising across the state’s 30 local government areas.
As election day draws closer, concerns over security, voter safety and the neutrality of security agencies have continued to dominate political discussions.
Speaking before the crowd, Adeleke expressed concern over what he described as increasing political tension in the state.
According to him, reports of attacks, intimidation and harassment involving political actors are creating anxiety among residents and raising fears about the credibility of the electoral process.
The governor maintained that democracy can only thrive where every political party is allowed to campaign freely and where voters are able to exercise their constitutional rights without fear of violence or intimidation.
He stressed that the responsibility for guaranteeing such an atmosphere rests on all stakeholders, particularly the Federal Government and security agencies.
Adeleke further argued that President Tinubu, as Nigeria’s Commander-in-Chief, should rise above partisan interests and ensure that every institution involved in the election performs its constitutional responsibilities professionally and impartially.
He also criticised what he described as police harassment and alleged political intimidation, insisting that residents deserve adequate protection throughout the election period.
According to the governor, preserving public confidence in the democratic process requires security agencies to remain neutral and operate strictly within the confines of the law.
The governor equally questioned why political violence and alleged attacks were still occurring despite what he described as political goodwill extended to the President by the people of Osun and the Accord Party ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“President Tinubu, the people of Osun, and the Accord Party have all endorsed you for 2027. Why are thugs still attacking and killing us over politics?
Adeleke accuses Tinubu’s nephew, the Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola‘s camp, of fueling tension, and urges him to intervene ahead of the Osun Election
“Call Oyetola to order, don’t let him ruin the name and the democracy you fought along with many others, don’t allow what happened in 1983 political crisis repeat itself,” Governor Adeleke said.
He further urged the President to demonstrate the democratic principles for which he has long been recognised, saying history would judge leaders based on how they protect democratic institutions and uphold the rule of law during critical elections.
“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, we’ll not accept rigging in Osun, we’ll come out in mass and defend our votes.”
Adeleke reminded his audience that he occupies the office of the state’s Chief Security Officer and therefore has a constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property.
However, he noted that effective security management requires cooperation from federal security agencies deployed to the state during elections.
“Mr President, I want you to take note of my words, I am the Chief Security officer of Osun, you are a Yoruba man and Osun is Yorubaland, yet, your party chieftains are perpetrating political violence while you look the other way.
The governor reiterated that his primary demand was for a credible electoral process that reflects the genuine wishes of the people.
He warned that any attempt to interfere with the outcome of the governorship election could reignite memories of one of Nigeria’s most turbulent political periods.
“Mr President, all I demand for is a free and fair election, if anybody try to do otherwise, the political crisis of 1983, when some people tried to rig Michael Ajasin in Ondo State out of power, may repeat itself again.»
He appealed directly to the President to caution political leaders and security agencies against actions capable of undermining public confidence in the election.
“Mr President call your people to order, call police chiefs to order, I am the executive governor here not any other person. Accord has already endorsed you as it candidate, why are we still suffering, why are they still killing us»
According to Adeleke, ensuring peace before, during and after the election should remain the collective objective of every political stakeholder, regardless of party affiliation.
He insisted that political competition should never result in violence, intimidation or the loss of innocent lives.
He further maintained that Nigeria’s democratic journey has been built through years of sacrifice by many individuals, adding that preserving those gains requires fairness, justice and respect for the people’s mandate.
Concluding his address, the governor appealed once again to President Tinubu to intervene in the situation and ensure that democratic values prevail throughout the election period.
“You fought for democracy in Nigeria and you must not allow your people destroy it. Wake up to your responsibility Mr President,” he warned.
The August 15 governorship election is expected to attract significant national attention, with political observers closely monitoring developments in Osun as one of the country’s major off-cycle governorship contests.
Security agencies, election officials and political parties are expected to intensify preparations in the days leading to the poll as residents look forward to exercising their democratic rights in a peaceful environment.