Governor Adeleke Warns Tinubu Against Election Rigging Ahead Of Poll

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure the August 15 governorship election is free and fair.

Adeleke made the remarks on Monday while addressing supporters at Orita-Sabo in Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun State.

He warned that any attempt to rig the poll could lead to political unrest similar to the violence that followed the 1983 elections.

The governor accused the President of failing to stop the growing political tension in the state.

He also alleged that members of his party have faced harassment by the police, stressing that his supporters had been killed or arrested ahead of the election.

Adeleke said “Mr President, something is happening in Osun that you didn’t intervene.

“They are killing our people. You are the president, you are the father for all of us. Osun has said they won’t allow rigging. There won’t be rigging in Osun.

“Remember what happened in 1983. It started in Yorubaland. When they cheated Bola Ige and Ajasin. Osun will not agree. We want free and fair election.

Speaking in Yoruba, the governor questioned why his supporters were allegedly facing attacks despite his party’s endorsement of President Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.

He stated, “I am passing this message to you (Tinubu).We have endorsed you, why are they killing us? The police are compromised. You didn’t go and meet kidnappers. I’m telling President Tinubu today. I’m the chief security officer of Osun state.

“President Tinubu, I’m passing this message to you. Osun will not accept any rigging. We will go out enmass and vote and defend our vote. Don’t let what happened in 1983 repeat in Osun.

“Accord party has endorsed you as our presidential candidate, why are we suffering? Oyetola needs to be called to order.”

Adeleke further urged Tinubu not to allow his efforts in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy to be undermined.

He accused former Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola of fueling political tensions and appealed to the President to warn him.

“You worked for this democracy, don’t let Oyetola destroy everything. He is the one that spolied APC in Osun. He us fighting everybody.

“When you cheated me in 2018, I left you to govern. I travelled to America. I went to exile to let you do what you have to do. Now I am back and will m sure, with what we have done, I’m going to win this second term election. What we want is free and fair. If it is free and fair, I’m going to win the election,” Adeleke remarked.

KanyiDaily recalls that Governor Ademola Adeleke had appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and order the release of local government allocations being withheld from the state.