Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Imole Campaign Council, the organisation leading the re-election bid of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has firmly denied allegations that the governor asked residents to take oaths of allegiance in exchange for votes, dismissing a viral social media video as a "manipulative" attempt to smear his campaign ahead of the August 15 governorship election. The denial came on Friday, August 7, 2026, following accusations by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council, which claimed that the video showed individuals swearing oaths to vote for the Accord Party and Governor Adeleke.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of its Media Committee, Representative Bamidele Salam, the Imole Campaign Council described the APC's attempt to link the governor to the video as "laughable and defeatist," insisting that Adeleke had absolutely no connection with any such activity. "Governor Adeleke is a democrat who believes fundamentally in the freedom of citizens to make their political choices according to their conscience. He does not need oaths, threats, intimidation or any form of coercion to secure the support of the people of Osun State," the statement read. The council added that it was examining the authenticity, source, and circumstances surrounding the video but stressed that the governor had neither authorised, participated in, directed, nor endorsed any oath-taking activity in connection with the election.
The controversy erupted after the APC Governorship Campaign Council, through its Head of Media and Publicity, Oluremi Omowaiye, condemned the video, describing it as a "dangerous descent into political desperation" and an affront to democratic values. Omowaiye alleged that the video was the latest dimension of vote-buying and accused the Adeleke administration of resorting to "voodooism" and coercion after failing to convince voters with its record in office. He also claimed that the video was linked to an earlier allegation that civil servants were given ₦20,000 to secure their votes. "Nothing could better illustrate the level of economic hardship and hopelessness inflicted on the people by this administration," Omowaiye said, urging security agencies and election observers to investigate the matter.
However, the Imole Campaign Council dismissed the APC's allegations as a desperate attempt to distract from the governor's achievements in office. The council argued that the opposition's focus on an unverified video exposed the poverty of its campaign strategy, urging the APC to instead engage Governor Adeleke's administration on measurable issues such as roads, healthcare, education, workers' welfare, infrastructure, and rural development. "The APC's attempt to convert an unverified video into a campaign issue also exposes the poverty of its campaign strategy," the statement said, adding that the governor's campaign is anchored on his achievements, vision for Osun, and the confidence of the electorate, not on superstition or clandestine practices.
The clash over the oath-taking video has added to the mounting political tension in Osun State, where the governorship election is now just days away. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured residents that the election will be free and fair, but the allegations of voter inducement and coercion have raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. The Imole Campaign Council has made it clear that Governor Adeleke remains focused on his record of performance and his personal connection with the people, rather than engaging in what it described as the APC's "hard-sell political manoeuvre." As both parties continue to trade accusations, the people of Osun State await the outcome of the election, hoping that their votes will count and that the electoral process will reflect their true will.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments