Osun State Governor and Accord governorship candidate, Ademola Adeleke, on Monday accused security operatives and political opponents of orchestrating a wave of killings, arrests and intimidation ahead of the August 15 governorship election, calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene.
Addressing supporters at a campaign rally in Osogbo, Adeleke alleged that seven Accord members had been killed in the last three months, more than 20 others had sustained gunshot injuries, while over 60 party members were being held in what he described as illegal police detention.
The governor claimed that Osun residents were facing systematic repression and warned that any attempt to manipulate the outcome of the election would be resisted by the people.
“I want to inform Mr President that my people are being killed on a daily basis. Elements within the police are aiding APC thugs to kill our people. Mr President, Osun is bleeding and your urgent intervention is necessary,” Adeleke said.
He urged President Tinubu to ensure the election is free, fair and credible, alleging that some individuals were invoking the President’s name to intimidate residents.
“The shedding of the blood of innocent people should stop. Osun people won’t bow to threats and intimidation. They want their votes to count and will resist any attempt to deny them the freedom to choose their leader,” he added.
Adeleke also appealed to the President to intervene over what he described as rising political violence, alleging that the conduct of some political actors posed a threat to democracy.
At the same rally, leaders of the Accord Campaign Council alleged that arrests and attacks on party members would not stop Adeleke’s re-election bid.
Director-General of the Imole Campaign Organisation, Senator Lere Oyewumi, claimed that several Accord leaders had been arrested with the support of security operatives, insisting that the party’s popularity remained intact.
“Osun people are resolved to vote and defend their votes. The support for Governor Adeleke is based on his performance. Killing innocent people will only strengthen the resolve of the electorate,” Oyewumi said.
Deputy Director-General of the campaign, Kolapo Alimi, also alleged that some party leaders were arrested overnight and that their properties were vandalised.
“We heard the arrests will continue tonight. Arresting us will not change the widespread acceptance of Accord. We will not be intimidated,” he said.
Similarly, Accord’s Osun Central senatorial candidate, Ganiyu Olaoluwa, alleged that party members were being targeted but maintained that the party remained determined to secure victory in the election.
The governor later met with members of the Butchers Association and the Hausa community in Osogbo, who pledged support for his re-election.
