Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has issued a dramatic and emotional appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, warning that his supporters are being killed and unlawfully detained ahead of the August 15 governorship election and that the people of the state will resist any attempt to manipulate or rig the poll. Speaking at a campaign rally in Olorunda Local Government Area on Monday, August 3, 2026, the governor, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party, declared that "Osun is bleeding" and that elements within the police were aiding political thugs to kill his supporters while some members of the All Progressives Congress were invoking President Tinubu's name to carry out acts of violence.
Adeleke alleged that seven Accord Party members had been killed in the last three months, more than 20 others sustained gunshot injuries, and over 60 supporters remained in what he described as illegal police detention. He recalled the political crisis that followed the 1983 elections in the old Western Region, particularly the controversy in Ondo State, and urged the Federal Government to ensure that history did not repeat itself in Osun. "Mr President, something is happening in Osun State that you need to know. Our people are being killed on a daily basis. Elements within the police are aiding APC thugs to kill our people," Adeleke said. "Osun APC members are dropping Mr President's name to kill and maim Osun people. The name of Mr President is being dragged in the mud."
The governor expressed frustration that despite the Accord Party's endorsement of President Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, his supporters were allegedly being targeted with violence and intimidation. "Mr President, 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. He accused the police of being compromised and called on the President to direct security agencies to act professionally and impartially. Adeleke also appealed to Tinubu to call the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, to order, alleging that the former governor was responsible for the crisis within the APC in Osun State and was fuelling the political violence.
Drawing a direct parallel with the 1983 political crisis, Adeleke warned that history must not be allowed to repeat itself. "You will remember what happened in 1983. It started in Yorubaland, particularly in Ondo State, when Chief Bola Ige was allegedly cheated. We do not want history to repeat itself. What we want is a free, fair, and credible election," he said. He insisted that if the election was conducted transparently, he would win, and he called on supporters to come out on August 15 to vote and remain at polling areas until their votes were counted and results declared.
Adeleke also declared that as the Chief Security Officer of Osun State, he would not allow rigging. "President Tinubu, I am using this medium to tell you that I am the Chief Security Officer of Osun State. I am passing this message to you. Osun will not accept any rigging. We will go out en masse and vote," he said. The governor maintained that Osun residents would defend the integrity of their votes. "Osun people won't bow to threats and intimidation. They want their votes to count. They will insist their votes must count. Osun people will resist any attempt to deny them the freedom to choose a leader of their choice," he declared.
The Director-General of the Imole Campaign Council, Senator Lere Oyewumi, who also spoke at the rally, alleged that security agencies were targeting opposition supporters through arrests and intimidation, but insisted that such actions would not stop Adeleke's re-election bid. He accused the APC of working with the police to intimidate opposition supporters, but maintained that the popularity of Adeleke's administration would determine the outcome of the election. "Osun people are resolved to vote and defend their votes. The voters' support for Governor Adeleke is because of his good performance. Killing innocent people only strengthens the resolve of the people to re-elect the governor," Oyewumi said.
The governor's warning comes amid heightened political tensions in Osun State, with less than two weeks to the governorship election. The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the poll for August 15, and political parties have intensified campaigns across the state. The Accord Party and the APC have traded accusations of violence and electoral manipulation, with the police warning against any attempt to disrupt the peace. Adeleke's appeal to President Tinubu has drawn attention to the role of security agencies in the electoral process and the potential for violence, as the people of Osun State prepare to decide their next governor.
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