Ademola Adeleke has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State over alleged threats to use federal influence in the state’s upcoming governorship election.
Speaking on Saturday in Osogbo during a meeting with leaders and ward officials of the Accord political structure across the state’s 332 wards, Adeleke warned that attempts to intimidate voters ahead of the August 15 poll would fail.
The governor accused the state APC of invoking the name of Bola Tinubu in what he described as anti-democratic rhetoric about using federal institutions to sway the election outcome.
According to Adeleke, the president remains focused on governance and national development rather than interfering in the state’s electoral process. He cited ongoing federal initiatives, including the reconstruction of the Ibadan–Ilesa road and the student loan programme, as examples of the administration’s priorities.
“Neither the President nor the top leaders around him support threats by the Osun APC to disrupt the forthcoming election,” Adeleke said, urging residents to remain vigilant and participate actively in the voting process.
“Our people insist on free and fair elections. Only electoral bandits boast of rigging in a democracy,” he added.
At the meeting, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Lasun Yusuf called on party leaders to intensify grassroots mobilisation and safeguard votes during the election.
Other speakers, including Senator Olu Alabi, Prof. Wale Oladipo and Osun PDP chairman Sunday Bisi, also pledged support for Adeleke’s re-election bid and urged party structures across the state to mobilise voters.
Meanwhile, the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, dismissed claims that the party would rely on federal influence to win the election. Speaking during a Ramadan lecture in Osogbo, he said the party had been consulting widely with traditional rulers and residents across the state’s 30 local government areas.
“There is no way we can rely on federal might. We have consulted men and women across the state and will continue to work hard until we have the opportunity to lead Osun State,” Oyebamiji said.
