The Chairman of Media and Publicity for the Adeleke Campaign Organization, and also the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, representing the Ede South, Ede North, Egbedore, and Ejigbo Federal Constituency, Honourable Bamidele Salam, has reaffirmed Governor Ademola Adeleke’s commitment to peaceful, free and credible elections in Osun State, stressing that the governor remains dedicated to maintaining peace before, during and after the poll.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE NEWS on Friday, Honourable Salam said Governor Adeleke personally attended the signing of the National Peace Committee’s peace accord in Osogbo alongside top government officials, describing the governor’s presence as a demonstration of his commitment to the principles of the accord. He also noted that former governor Gboyega Oyetola, whom he described as the APC’s leading political figure and key strategist in the election, was absent from the event.
“You will have observed that, in spite of the governor’s schedule—including having to delay for four hours the commissioning of a road project in Ilesa—the governor made it there himself in person, accompanied by his deputy governor, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, members of the National Assembly, and other principal players. That shows the commitment His Excellency Governor Ademola Adeleke has to ensuring that the state continues to be in peace before, during, and after the election. Without any form of hesitation, the governor signed the articles of the peace accord, and the state chairman of the party was with him to endorse the signing.
“Unfortunately, our main challenger, from All Progressives Congress, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji was not at the event at all. He didn’t send anyone. His running mate came only after the accord signing ceremony, photos, and everything had been concluded, just around the time when General Gowon was making his goodwill message. One would have thought that as a main contender, and as the candidate of a party that has been fingered in most of the issues surrounding insecurity, violence, destruction of activities, and threats in the run-up to the election, the APC candidate would have shown statesmanship by coming for the peace accord signing, which he did not do,” he noted.
Reaffirming, he said: “That doesn’t take away from the fact that our governor and our party are committed to the tenets of the content of that peace accord. The governor has said that, in spite of all that has happened, he is a man of peace and is committed to a peaceful conduct of this election. He asks that INEC and other bodies also play their part to ensure that the election is not just peaceful, but also credible.”
Honourable Salam expressed confidence that the political tensions in the state would not discourage voter participation, saying residents had become more determined to exercise their democratic rights. He maintained that eligible voters across Osun State remained resolute and would turn out in large numbers to vote, while urging security agencies to act professionally and ensure a safe environment for all law-abiding citizens on election day.
“We do hope not. I must tell you that the resolve of the Osun people in this election is getting stronger. In spite of all the harassment and intimidation of members of our party, especially by the police, the people seem to be getting even more resolved to ensure that they participate very actively in this election, and that they are not just coming out en masse to vote—they are going to ensure that their votes count.
“Apart from the resolve of the political players, especially members of our political party, the people of Osun, the civil servants, the pensioners, the farmers, the teachers, and every eligible voter in Osun are determined and resolved. They will not be deterred or discouraged. They will come out en masse on the 15th of August to cast their votes, and at the end of the exercise, the votes they cast will count.
“We are asking that the security agencies please be very professional and firm to protect every law-abiding citizen. Anyone who comes out in a lawful and peaceful manner to cast their vote on election day must be protected by the police, the Civil Defence, the military, the DSS, and everyone bearing arms in the name of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They have a responsibility to provide a conducive atmosphere. As for the people, I can assure you they are not discouraged or deterred; they are rather more resolute in coming out on the 15th of August to perform their civic obligation,” he said.
Responding to questions about allegations involving the Secretary to the State Government, Salam dismissed suggestions of wrongdoing, arguing that the items reportedly recovered did not constitute evidence of any offence. He maintained that possession of cash, permanent voter cards belonging to party canvassers attending a meeting, and a copy of the voters’ register was lawful, noting that INEC provides the register to political parties for voter mobilisation and sensitisation.
“What you just said is not the report from the police, unless you have another version. What the police said was that the Secretary to the State Government was found in possession of N4.8 million, two PVCs, and a copy of the voters’ register. I have actually spoken about this. Even a poor woman in Ife South Local Government who sells cocoa and kola nuts will have more than N4 million in her residence; there is nothing to be alarmed about regarding someone having N4.8 million in his residence. The two PVCs belonged to people who were canvassers of the party holding a legitimate meeting in his house. The Nigerian Constitution protects the right to freedom of assembly and freedom of association.
“Regarding the voters’ register, maybe the police did not know that this document was actually handed over to political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission as a tool for voter sensitization and mobilization. If I have a copy of the voters’ register with me now, it is because INEC, which is the official body in custody of the document, has given it to us as politicians to use for the purpose of canvassing for votes. There is nothing untoward or unlawful about having a voters’ register in your possession,” he maintained.
On allegations of vote buying, Salam said the Accord Party opposed the practice and had no need to induce voters, arguing that Governor Ademola Adeleke’s performance in office would earn public support.
He called on security agencies to arrest anyone found engaging in vote buying and urged all 14 political parties to conduct themselves in accordance with the rules during the election.
“We as a party are against vote buying. We don’t even need to buy votes because, like I told you, the governor has performed credibly. He has justified the mandate given to him by the people, and he’s confident that he will be victorious in this election on the 16th of August. We are very, very confident that we will win this election by the grace of God Almighty,” he assured.
“All that I want to ask is that those who are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that things are not done in this manner play their part. The police, the DSS, the military—anyone who is found buying votes should be apprehended,” he urged.
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