Adeleke’s Performance Has Closed the Door on APC’s Return to Power – TICC
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) has declared that Governor Ademola Adeleke’s development record has effectively diminished the chances of the All Progressives Congress (APC) returning to power in Osun State, insisting that the governor’s achievements have strengthened public support for his re-election ahead of the August 15 governorship poll.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the council urged the APC to use its planned local government campaign tour to assess the impact of the Adeleke administration rather than deny what it described as visible progress across the state.
According to the statement, ongoing infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, rehabilitated primary healthcare centres and upgraded public schools, have transformed communities and demonstrated the administration’s commitment to good governance.
“As the APC moves across the state for its campaign, the bridges, roads, revamped healthcare centres and improved school infrastructure will remind them of how much they failed the people and why Osun voters are determined to sustain the current administration,” Olajengbesi said.
The campaign council argued that the previous APC administration neglected governance and the welfare of residents, adding that many of the challenges confronting the state were inherited from years of poor leadership.
It maintained that while Governor Adeleke has continued to engage residents, commission projects and present his administration’s achievements, the APC and its governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, were pursuing power without demonstrating sufficient grassroots support.
“Power in a democracy resides with the people and can only be obtained through the ballot,” the statement read.
The council also alleged that the APC had made attempts to seek the backing of influential figures outside the state to influence the outcome of the election but claimed those efforts had not succeeded.
It further contended that the opposition’s decision to commence a statewide campaign tour followed criticisms over its alleged weak grassroots presence, adding that internal divisions and defections within the party had further weakened its electoral prospects.
The TICC urged residents to remain vigilant during the APC’s campaign activities, citing previous incidents of political violence in the state.
Referring to the killing of 14-year-old Ezekiel Olapade in Ilobu, the council alleged that the incident was linked to political violence associated with opposition supporters.
“We urge Osun people to remain vigilant and plan their movements carefully as the APC embarks on its campaign across the state,” the statement said.
Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful elections, the campaign council said it would continue to conduct its activities without violence and protect the rights of voters to participate freely in the electoral process.
“Our campaign remains committed to a peaceful election. We have conducted our campaigns without violence and will continue to defend the rights of the people to exercise their franchise in a peaceful and orderly manner,” Olajengbesi added.