Adeleke to Tinubu: Osun Will Not Accept Election Rigging

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has appealed directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that the August 15 governorship election in the state is free, fair and credible, warning that the people of Osun will resist any attempt to manipulate the outcome of the poll.

Speaking during a campaign rally in Osogbo, the governor expressed concern over what he described as rising political tension in the state, urging the President to intervene and rein in political actors allegedly using his name to intimidate opponents.

Addressing the President, Adeleke said Osun people had accepted Tinubu as Nigeria’s President and deserved the opportunity to freely choose their governor without fear or interference.

“President Tinubu, I am passing this message to you. Osun will not accept any form of rigging. We will come out, vote and protect our votes,” Adeleke declared before supporters.

The governor also reminded the gathering that, as the state’s Chief Security Officer, he had a responsibility to maintain peace while ensuring that residents exercised their democratic rights without intimidation.

He appealed to the President to call the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former Osun governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, to order, alleging that political tensions in the state were escalating ahead of the election.

Adeleke further warned against any attempt to repeat the electoral controversies that marked Nigeria’s political history, saying Osun must not be dragged back to an era of disputed elections and violence.

“We don’t want what happened in 1993 to repeat itself,” he said, while insisting that the will of the electorate must prevail on election day.

The August 15 governorship election is expected to be one of Nigeria’s most closely watched off-cycle polls, with the incumbent seeking another term amid an increasingly competitive political atmosphere. Campaigns have intensified across the state, while political parties continue to exchange accusations over alleged intimidation, violence and plans to influence the outcome of the election.

In recent days, Adeleke has repeatedly called on President Tinubu to act as “the father of the nation” by ensuring neutrality and preventing any abuse of federal influence during the election. He has also alleged that incidents of violence and killings in the state require urgent federal attention.

The governor’s comments have, however, drawn swift reactions from the All Progressives Congress (APC), which accused him of attempting to politicise security issues and divert attention from the campaign. The ruling party insisted that the election should be fought on issues rather than allegations of victimisation and electoral manipulation.

The APC maintained that President Tinubu remains committed to credible elections and dismissed Adeleke’s allegations as unfounded.

With less than two weeks before voters head to the polls, political activities have intensified across Osun State, while security agencies have continued to assure residents of adequate deployment of personnel to guarantee a peaceful electoral process.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also reiterated its commitment to conducting a transparent election, urging political parties and their supporters to maintain peace and allow voters to exercise their constitutional rights without intimidation.

The August 15 governorship election is expected to determine who governs Osun State for the next four years and is widely viewed as a significant political contest with implications beyond the state.