Adeleke: I’ll Win My Re-election Despite APC Intimidation
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has expressed confidence that he will win the August 15 governorship election, saying his administration’s achievements and the support of the people will secure his re-election.
Adeleke stated this on Tuesday at a town hall meeting organised by Arise TV for candidates contesting the election at Aura Event Centre, Osogbo.
The governor said his administration had constructed about 350 roads across the state, while accusing the All Progressives Congress (APC) of relying on propaganda instead of highlighting its achievements before the electorate.
“For balance, I am here for all my people in Osun State and, of course, in Nigeria, especially the people of Osun who have stood by me. Your governor has the fear of God, and that was what I promised you. I promised you that the goodies are coming,” Adeleke said.
He said his administration inherited several financial and administrative challenges, including unpaid salaries, adding that his government had made efforts to settle outstanding obligations.
According to Adeleke, claims that projects executed by his administration were of substandard quality were unfounded, stressing that qualified professionals were involved in the design, construction and supervision of the projects.
“How would I use substandard materials? I use certified engineers. I use Nigerian engineers, and I also invite international engineers. I don’t just sit in the office; I move around to double-check the projects,” he said.
The governor said he personally inspected projects across the state and ensured that they met the required standards.
Adeleke also defended his dancing at public functions, saying it was part of his personality and had no bearing on his performance as governor.
“There is a time for everything. There is a time to dance and there is a time to work. I am a very serious person when it comes to work,” he said.
He accused the APC of allegedly using federal influence to intimidate members and supporters of the Accord Party ahead of the election.
“If you know you can win, why are you arresting people? Why are you using federal might to arrest my people and intimidate Osun people?” Adeleke asked.
He alleged that Accord’s House of Representatives candidate, Popoola Alaba, popularly known as Alaba, had been detained in Abuja, questioning the reason for his arrest.
The governor said he had engaged prominent Nigerians, including Catholic Bishop Emeritus, Matthew Hassan Kukah, over concerns about the political atmosphere in the state ahead of the election.
On security, Adeleke said his administration had strengthened the Osun State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun, through the recruitment of more than 1,500 personnel.
He said the personnel had undergone training by security experts, including retired military and police officers.
“I know they call me a security expert because I studied criminology. My responsibility is to make sure I protect the lives and property of my people, and I have been doing that,” he said.
Adeleke recalled his time in the Senate, saying he was among those who advocated the establishment of state police.
“I was the one who introduced state police on the floor of the Senate. It passed second reading, but I don’t know what happened; it died on the way. Today, it has been resurrected,” he said.
The governor also accused the APC of creating tension in the state ahead of the election, alleging that incidents of violence and arrests had increased as the election drew closer.
He, however, appealed to his supporters not to retaliate or destroy campaign materials belonging to opposition parties.
“I told my people not to destroy their billboards. Your governor is a peace-loving person. Let the whole world know what they are doing. The more they hurt us, the more people love us. When they go low, we go high,” Adeleke said.
He urged voters to remain peaceful on election day and avoid confrontations at polling units.
“This election is going to be free and fair. No violence. Even if you are about to vote and they march you, just tell them, ‘Thank you for marching me.’ Don’t fight. Just go and vote,” he said.
Adeleke said the state government did not control the deployment of the military and other federal security agencies, noting that the President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
“I am not the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, neither am I the Chief of Army Staff nor the Inspector-General of Police. Mr President is the Commander-in-Chief. They have seen the way people are being killed and everything, and they have to make sure they bring all the security agencies to protect lives and property,” he said.
The governor said he would continue to advocate a free, fair and peaceful election, stressing that the people of Osun should be allowed to determine who governs the state.
He also revisited the controversy surrounding the freezing of Osun State Government accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), saying President Bola Tinubu personally contacted him over the matter.
According to Adeleke, Tinubu told him that he was embarrassed by the timing of the EFCC action and spoke about the reputation of the Adeleke family.
“Mr President did well. He put a call to me and told me he was embarrassed by what the EFCC did. He told me, ‘Your family is well respected in Nigeria and the international community,’” Adeleke said.
The governor maintained that he was confident of victory in the August 15 election, attributing his optimism to the projects executed by his administration and the support of the people.
He urged residents to come out peacefully, exercise their franchise and allow the people’s votes to determine the outcome of the election.
