Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to step in and stop the wave of political violence in the state ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Speaking during a campaign rally in Olorunda Local Government Area on Monday, Adeleke said the people of Osun should not be subjected to violence after the Accord Party had already endorsed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The governor warned against a repeat of the political crisis that rocked the South-West after the controversial 1983 elections, saying Osun must not be allowed to descend into chaos.
Adeleke, who is seeking a second term under the Accord Party, said the people of the state would resist any attempt to manipulate the election.
“President Tinubu, you asked us to endorse your re-election and we have done so. Why then are our people being killed?” he asked.
“Don’t let what happened in 1983 happen again. Osun people and the Accord Party have endorsed you as our presidential candidate, so why are we suffering? Why is our money being withheld?
“The police have become compromised. They should focus on fighting kidnappers instead of harassing innocent people. Mr. President, I am calling on you because I don’t want you to say I kept quiet. I am the Chief Security Officer of Osun State.”
Adeleke also called on the president to caution his predecessor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, whom he accused of fueling political tension in the state.
“Oyetola needs to be called to order. We all have children. May the blood of innocent people killed in Osun bring justice upon those responsible. May God punish them,” he said.
“What is the problem, President Tinubu? Oyetola has fought everyone.”
After the rally, Adeleke repeated his appeal in a post on his X account, insisting that Osun deserves a peaceful, free and fair election.
“Osun is bleeding, and our people will not be intimidated,” he wrote.
“The loss of innocent lives must stop. All we ask for is a free and fair election.”
The governor urged Tinubu to act as a father to the nation and protect the democracy he once fought to establish.
“I reminded the President that the 2027 general elections are also approaching, and he should not allow his nephew, Mr. Oyetola, to damage his reputation or the democracy many Nigerians struggled to build,” Adeleke said.
He added that Nigeria must never experience a repeat of the political violence that followed the 1983 elections, stressing that democracy can only thrive when people are free to choose their leaders without fear or intimidation.
