By wale Afolabi
The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected allegations by Governor Ademola Adeleke that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigeria Police and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, are plotting to undermine his re-election bid, describing the claims as unfounded and politically motivated.
The party said the governor’s accusations were aimed at laying the groundwork for a possible electoral loss in the August 15 governorship election rather than addressing concerns about his administration.
The APC’s response followed remarks made by Adeleke during a campaign rally in Osogbo on Monday, where he accused President Tinubu, Oyetola and the police of political persecution despite his endorsement of Tinubu as the Accord Party’s preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
The governor also alleged bias by the police and urged his supporters to safeguard their votes.
“Why are they killing us? Osun will not accept any rigging. We will go out en masse and defend our votes,” Adeleke told party supporters.
He further claimed that funds due to Osun State were being withheld and called for Oyetola to be “called to order,” maintaining that his administration had performed creditably since assuming office.
However, the APC dismissed the allegations, insisting that there was no basis for accusing the President or the minister of interfering in the electoral process.
The opposition party argued that Adeleke was attempting to portray himself as a victim of political intimidation while allegedly overlooking issues surrounding political violence in the state.
According to the APC, the governor’s allegations against Tinubu and Oyetola were “misplaced and frivolous,” contending that they were intended to rationalise what it described as an impending electoral defeat.
The party also accused Adeleke of providing political protection for individuals allegedly wanted by security agencies and criticised his appointments of persons it described as suspected political thugs into government positions.
It further questioned the governor’s reported decision to grant amnesty to convicted political thugs, alleging that the move was designed to advance political interests ahead of the governorship election.
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The APC maintained that Adeleke’s endorsement of President Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election was a voluntary political decision and should not be used to support claims of persecution.
It urged the governor to allow voters to determine his political future at the ballot box if he was confident that his administration had performed well.
“Why the worry if it is true that Governor Adeleke has done well for his state, as the forthcoming August 15, 2026 governorship election will be a yardstick to measure his claim?” the pa
