The Osun State Governorship Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of making what it described as reckless, inflammatory and seditious comments against President Bola Tinubu ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The accusation followed Adeleke’s remarks at a campaign rally in Olorunda Local Government Area, where he appealed to President Tinubu to ensure a free and fair election and intervene in what he alleged was increasing political violence in the state.
Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, the Director-General of the Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council, Oluwole Oke, dismissed the governor’s allegations, describing them as false, irresponsible and an attempt to discredit the President.
“The governor also made other disparaging and unfounded allegations against the President, including the false claim that President Tinubu is withholding the federal allocations due to the 30 local government areas in Osun State,” Oke said.
He insisted that federal allocations meant for the legally recognised local government administration in Osun are being released regularly, adding that Adeleke’s claims were intended to mislead the public.
“These statements are false, distasteful, irresponsible and completely unsubstantiated. They are nothing but a manifestation of the frustration that has enveloped the outgoing governor,” he added.
Oke further alleged that Adeleke was attempting to portray President Tinubu as an enemy of the people of Osun in order to gain political sympathy ahead of the election.
“Governor Adeleke’s attempt to blackmail the President and paint him as an enemy of the people of Osun is another desperate strategy to demonise a genuine democrat,” he stated.
The APC campaign council also rejected Adeleke’s claims of political intimidation, alleging that more than 30 APC members and supporters have been killed since 2022 by suspected Accord Party thugs allegedly backed by the state government.
According to Oke, at least 10 of those deaths occurred in recent times, making it ironic for the governor to present himself as a victim of political violence.
The APC further claimed that Adeleke would eventually be required to explain the management of public funds after leaving office.
“Governor Adeleke should therefore keep his fake tears and reserve his real cry for the day he will be called upon to answer questions over the alleged mismanagement of Osun State resources under his administration,” Oke said.
He specifically referenced the alleged management of a ₦2 billion Federal Government grant for the procurement of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, the state’s ₦17 billion ecological funds, and over ₦1 trillion in revenue received during Adeleke’s administration.
The APC is backing Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji in the August 15 governorship election, while Governor Adeleke is seeking re-election on the Accord Party platform.
