Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in what he described as attempts by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the forthcoming governorship election in the state, alleging that some individuals are using the President’s name to intimidate residents and undermine the democratic process.
In a statement issued on Monday, Adeleke appealed to Tinubu to act as “a father of the nation” by ensuring that the August 15 governorship election is conducted peacefully, fairly and in accordance with democratic principles. He accused elements within the APC of invoking the President’s name to justify acts of violence and alleged intimidation against Osun residents.
The governor alleged that innocent people had been killed, harassed and unlawfully detained amid rising political tensions in the state. He urged the President to intervene to prevent further escalation and to ensure that security agencies remain neutral throughout the electoral process.
“We will not accept a rigged election,” Adeleke said, insisting that the will of the people must prevail at the polls. He maintained that Osun residents should be allowed to vote freely without intimidation or interference.
Adeleke also appealed to the National Peace Committee and other stakeholders to closely monitor developments in the state, warning against what he described as attempts to use security institutions to influence the outcome of the election.
The APC has, however, rejected the governor’s allegations, insisting that it remains committed to a peaceful and credible election. Party officials have accused Adeleke of making unfounded claims to discredit the electoral process and have denied any plan to rig the poll.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has repeatedly assured political parties and voters of its readiness to conduct a free, fair and credible governorship election, while participants at a recent peace accord pledged to shun violence and abide by the outcome of the poll.
