Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has issued a direct appeal to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to stop the ongoing killings in the state and to ensure a free and fair governorship election on August 15. The governor warned that the people of Osun will not accept any form of rigging in the upcoming poll.
Governor Accuses Police of Compromise and Intimidation
Adeleke, in a statement made on Monday, alleged that the police force has been compromised and is intimidating innocent citizens instead of tackling criminal activities such as kidnapping. He called on the President to intervene and restore impartiality to the security agencies in the state.
“The police have been compromised. They should concentrate on tackling the kidnappers and other criminals troubling your administration instead of intimidating innocent people,” Adeleke said.
Direct Appeal to President Tinubu
The governor’s remarks come amid heightened tensions in Osun State, with reports of violence and killings ahead of the election. Adeleke made a direct appeal to President Tinubu, reminding him of the support he has received from Osun State.
“President Bola Tinubu, something is happening in Osun State that you need to know. Our people are being killed, and as our father, we are appealing to you. We will not accept any attempt to rig this election. Mr President, I am passing this message directly to you. We have publicly endorsed you for the 2027 presidential election. What more do you want from us? Why then are our people being killed?” he asked.
Political Context and Implications
The August 15 governorship election in Osun State is expected to be a tight contest between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Adeleke, a member of the PDP, is seeking re-election. His allegations of police bias and violence raise concerns about the credibility of the electoral process.
Observers note that the governor’s public endorsement of President Tinubu for the 2027 election, despite being from the opposition party, underscores the complex political dynamics in the state. Adeleke’s appeal is likely to put pressure on the federal government to ensure a peaceful and transparent election.
Call for Action
Adeleke’s statement is a call to action for the President and security agencies to address the escalating violence in Osun State. He emphasized that the people of Osun are peace-loving and deserve to exercise their democratic rights without fear of intimidation or rigging.
As the election date approaches, all eyes will be on the federal government and the police to see if they heed the governor’s plea and take concrete steps to curb the violence and ensure a credible electoral process.
