Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has firmly rejected allegations of political persecution made by Governor Ademola Adeleke against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, describing the claims as unfounded and frivolous. In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, by its Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, the party urged the governor to focus on issues surrounding the forthcoming August 15 governorship election rather than engaging in what it described as a campaign of blame and distraction.
Governor Adeleke, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party, had at a campaign rally in Osogbo on Monday, August 3, accused President Tinubu and his predecessor, Oyetola, of orchestrating what he called political persecution against him. He also raised concerns about the conduct of the police and warned against any attempt to undermine the credibility of the August 15 election. "Why are they killing us? Osun will not accept any rigging. We will go out en masse and defend our votes," Adeleke declared. He further alleged that Oyetola needed to be called to order, adding: "The blood of those killed will not allow those responsible for it to rest in peace."
In its response, the APC said Adeleke had not provided sufficient evidence to substantiate his allegations against Tinubu and Oyetola. "The allegations of political victimisation against President Tinubu and Oyetola are misplaced and frivolous," the party said. The APC also questioned Adeleke's reference to his endorsement of President Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, arguing that the endorsement should not have any bearing on the conduct of the Osun governorship poll. "We want to remind Governor Adeleke that his endorsement of President Tinubu as his presidential candidate in the 2027 election wasn't forced on him," the statement said. The party added that the August 15 election would provide Osun residents with an opportunity to assess the performance of Adeleke's administration. "Why the worry if it is true that Governor Adeleke has done well for his state, as the forthcoming 15th August, 2026 governorship election will be a yardstick to measure his claim in this regard?" the APC asked.
The APC also took a swipe at the governor's leadership style, with Olabisi stating that Adeleke was responsible for fuelling, promoting, and bankrolling political violence in the state. "The unsubstantiated allegations of Governor Adeleke, who covers his inadequacy by resorting to dancing when an injection of intellect is needed against President Tinubu and Oyetola, are misplaced and frivolous, as such amount to making a justification for his imminent defeat in the forthcoming governorship election," Olabisi said. He further questioned why the governor had made the State Government House a refuge for political hoodlums on the wanted list of the police and why he had been empowering dangerous political thugs with juicy political appointments. "One would have expected the sinking governor to state in his needless political inciting statement session at the rally to give the reasons why he has made the state Government House a refuge for the political hoodlums who have been on the wanted list of the police," Olabisi added.
The APC spokesperson argued that competition was strange to Adeleke, which was the reason he was "crying of political persecution all over the place without any tangible proof to establish his frivolous allegations." He reminded the governor that his endorsement of President Tinubu for the 2027 election was not forced on him and that the decision would not be the reason why he should not be prepared for a free and fair contest. "No one is contesting Governor Adeleke being the constitutional chief security officer of the state, while the crux of the matter is why is it that it is the same self-acclaimed state CSO that has been the architect of the series of security breaches in the state?" Olabisi further said.
The party expressed confidence in the chances of its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, describing him as a candidate who has worked towards securing the support of voters ahead of the poll. The APC urged political actors in the state to concentrate on campaigning and allow the electorate to determine the outcome of the election on August 15. The exchange between the governor and the opposition party comes just days before the Osun governorship election, which is considered one of the most consequential off-cycle polls in Nigeria's electoral calendar. With both sides trading accusations of violence and intimidation, the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies have been urged to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process. As the August 15 poll draws nearer, the political atmosphere in Osun State remains charged, with Governor Adeleke and the APC locked in a fierce battle for the soul of the state.
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