Governor Ademola Adeleke has urged Osun State residents to defend their democratic rights ahead of the August 15 governorship election, calling for peaceful but determined voter participation. Speaking on Tuesday at the launch of his re-election campaign at Freedom Park, Osogbo, Adeleke emphasized that intimidation must not deter citizens from voting. He declared that the people's votes would count and assured that his administration would reject violence.
Adeleke reiterated his confidence in re-election, stating, "Great people of Osun, we cannot and must not go back to the dark days. We must rise and defend our democratic rights." He added, "This is our state, the cradle of the Yoruba nation. By God's grace and the people's support, continuity shall prevail." The governor pledged continued protection of citizens' rights and called on supporters to mobilise across polling units.
He unveiled an updated five-point agenda for a second term, focusing on youth, women and workers' welfare; infrastructure development; agro-industrial expansion; improved healthcare and education; and job creation through a better business environment. Adeleke also reaffirmed his full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid, describing it as "unshaken and total."
Folorunso Bamisaye, speaking for a group of defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC), said Adeleke had repeatedly defeated the APC in past elections. He recalled that in 2017, Adeleke won nine out of 10 local government areas, in 2018 won by 353 votes before the APC "sorted it," and in 2022 defeated the party by over 28,000 votes.
Adeleke demands protection of voting rights while referencing past wins where results were later challenged or altered. His claim of defeating the APC by 353 votes in 2018 before they "sorted it" suggests electoral manipulation occurred under his watch. Yet he now calls for trust in the same process he implies has been rigged before. Osun voters must weigh his appeal for integrity against his own history of contested outcomes.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
