State Governor Ademola Adeleke has questioned why opposition politicians would allegedly use federal influence to arrest and intimidate his supporters if they are confident of winning the 2026 governorship election.
Adeleke made the statement at the ARISE NEWS Town Hall Meeting in Osun State while responding to questions on alleged federal interference, his relationship with President Bola Tinubu and the role of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola in the election.
The governor said his political opponents had resorted to intimidation and arrests because they were concerned about losing the election.
“The only reason I’m reporting our candidates is that they are in jail. For what?”
He then asked:“If you know that you can win, why are you arresting my people? Why are you using federal might to arrest, to intimidate Osun people?”
Adeleke said he had continued to engage with religious and other stakeholders because he wanted to prevent the situation from escalating.
He accused his political opponents of invoking President Tinubu’s name in their dealings with state institutions, insisting that the President himself had promised a free and fair election.
The governor said he had spoken with President Tinubu following the freezing of Osun State government accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
“As for Mr. President calling me, like I said before, I really appreciate him for calling.”
Adeleke said the President had expressed concern over the EFCC action and assured him that the matter would be addressed.
He, however, argued that the President might not always be aware of how his name was being used by political actors at the state level.
“You know, the President has a real job to do. Most of the time, he might not even know.”
Adeleke specifically accused his predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola, of using the President’s name in the political contest.
“Politics is local. It is Oyetola that is feeling the pain of defeat. And he has vowed that he will destroy Osun State by using, by dropping Mr. President’s name and destroy Osun State.”
He added:
“Look, he’s not the only one from Osun State. We own Osun State together. We don’t allow that to happen.”
The governor further alleged:
“So, he’s the one, he’s the one using federal money. I can say it perfectly clearly.”
Oyetola, according to Adeleke, should not be the focus of the election because he is not contesting.
“But this same Oyetola, he’s not on the ballot. He’s not on the ballot. Leave that alone.”
Adeleke also questioned the APC’s handling of its governorship primary, particularly the exclusion of several aspirants.
“Can’t you see that APC is in disarray? You told everybody that they will go to the field. How can somebody, the caliber of Oyetola, be disqualified when you already told them they should go to the field?”
He said about seven aspirants were disqualified and described them as seasoned politicians.
Adeleke also alleged that campaign billboards belonging to his supporters had been destroyed.
“Why are you, if you know that you can win, why are you destroying my billboard?”
He said he had instructed his supporters not to retaliate.
“And I told my people, don’t destroy their billboards. Leave it.”
Describing himself as a peaceful governor, Adeleke added:“Your governor is a peaceful person. Let the whole world see what they are doing.”
The governor called for a peaceful election and urged his supporters not to respond violently to provocation.
“On my own side, I’m always preaching for free and fair election.”
He told voters:
“This election is going to be free and fair election. No violence.”
Adeleke urged voters to remain calm even when provoked at polling units.
“Even when you are about to vote, when somebody matches you, it’s because they cannot win. Don’t fight them.”
He expressed confidence that his record in office would secure him another term.
“And I know, for the job that you have done, oh, God have mercy. I’m coming back for the second time. Ain’t nobody stopping me.”
The governor also defended his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the Accord Party, saying the move followed consultations with his political stakeholders.
Adeleke maintained that Osun had been peaceful until political activities surrounding the election intensified.
He urged voters to remain peaceful and allow the electorate to determine the outcome of the election.
“It is the people, it is the Osun people that will decide.”
Adeleke also defended his administration’s record in office, citing road construction, healthcare, education, agriculture and security as areas where he said significant progress had been made.
He said his administration had completed more than 350 kilometres of roads, with another 160 kilometres under construction, while about 200 healthcare centres had also been rehabilitated.
The governor rejected allegations that some of his road projects were substandard, saying engineers had assessed it.
The governor also defended his public dancing, which has become a recurring point of criticism from his opponents, insisting that his personality does not prevent him from working.“Nobody, I repeat, nobody will stop me from dancing. As I’m dancing, I’m working.”
He said his administration’s record should be judged by its projects and policies rather than his personal style, maintaining that the people of Osun State would ultimately decide who governs them.
Boluwatife Enome
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