Adeleke Raises Alarm Over Alleged Oyetola Plot to Rig Osun Election

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Thursday accused the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, of plotting to sabotage the August 15 governorship election in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Oyetola made the assertion while addressing APC stakeholders and supporters in the state, which was in reaction to a statement issued by Adeleke on Sunday by his spokesman, Olawale Rasheed.

Oyetola, former Osun governor who lost his re-election bid to Adeleke in 2022 had told the incumbent to be ready for defeat adding that his endorsement of President Bola Tinubu would not save his administration.
The APC would take back the governorship seat, Oyetola said in Yoruba, adding, Adeleke’s endorsement of Tinubu would not determine the outcome of the election.

They realize they are already missing out. And then they said they endorsed us.” He nearly cried. An endorsement and this seat is not safe. “We are taking control of it,” Oyetola said.

“If you want, endorse 10 and we will get this one from you,” he added.

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Reacting, Adeleke said the statement was a “open threat” to the conduct of free and fair election and urged democracy lovers to take note of the statement of the minister.

The governor also alleged that the APC was planning to rig the poll because the party had lost the support of Osun voters.

Adeleke said his support for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election was a pointer to his political strength and ability to galvanize votes for the President in Osun.

He also alleged that Oyetola has been working to tarnish Tinubu’s image thru his activities in the state.

“A serving minister of the Republic had made an open threat against free and fair election,” Adeleke stated.

He said Osun residents would resist any attempt to erode their right to freely choose their leaders.

“The bad news for the minister is that Osun people are resolute in resisting his sadistic agenda,” the governor said.

Adeleke also expressed confidence of being re-elected, saying voters would reject the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, in Saturday’s election.

The governor said his administration would respect the will of the voters and called on stakeholders to ensure that the poll was conducted transparently and peacefully.