Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Monday accused those behind the political crisis in the state of being responsible for extrajudicial killings and called on President Bola Tinubu to step in before the security situation worsens ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Adeleke made the appeal during the Accord Party’s governorship campaign rally in Olorunda Local Government Area and later spoke on the issue at a meeting with civil servants and pensioners in Osogbo.
The governor said the President, as the nation’s leader, should ensure that the lives of Osun residents are protected and that the governorship election is conducted peacefully. He noted that his administration and the Accord Party had already endorsed Tinubu for a second term in 2027 and appealed to him to ensure justice and fairness in the state.
Adeleke alleged that some people were attempting to create fear and manipulate the election through violence but insisted that the people of Osun would resist any effort to interfere with the electoral process. He also recalled the political violence that followed the 1983 elections in the South-West and appealed to all stakeholders to avoid actions that could lead to a similar situation.
The governor accused the police of failing to remain neutral in handling the political crisis in the state. He expressed concern over the conduct of the security agency and said confidence in its impartiality had weakened. Despite this, he disclosed that members of the National Peace Committee had engaged the leadership of the police after concerns about security were raised during the signing of the peace accord by governorship candidates.
Speaking at a separate programme with civil servants and pensioners organised by the Office of the Head of Service in collaboration with labour leaders, Adeleke said he remained confident of victory in the election and was not under pressure. He urged residents not to be intimidated but to come out in large numbers on election day to exercise their voting rights peacefully.
According to the governor, the people of Osun have continued to support his administration, and he believes their votes will determine the outcome of the election if the process is transparent. He maintained that democracy should be allowed to take its course without interference or intimidation.
Also speaking at the event, Osun State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Christopher Arapasopo, praised the Adeleke administration for introducing measures aimed at improving workers’ welfare and increasing pension payments.
He urged workers and pensioners to remain united and support the governor, while encouraging residents to reject intimidation and participate peacefully in the governorship election.
The governorship poll is scheduled for August 15, with political parties and security agencies facing growing calls from stakeholders to ensure a peaceful, free and credible election across Osun State.