By Jude Opara
With barely 10 days to the Osun State governorship election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council has criticised Governor Ademola Adeleke over what it described as “reckless, inflammatory and seditious” remarks allegedly directed at President Bola Tinubu during a campaign event on Monday.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Director-General of the Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council, Hon. Oluwole Oke, alleged that Governor Adeleke threatened that Osun State could witness a repeat of the 1983 political crisis if he loses the August 15 governorship election.
Oke also accused the governor of falsely claiming that President Tinubu was withholding federal allocations meant for the state’s 30 local government areas.
“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.
“These statements are false, distasteful, irresponsible and completely unsubstantiated. They are nothing but a manifestation of the frustration that has enveloped the outgoing governor as the reality of an impending electoral defeat continues to stare him in the face.
“The governor is crying wolf and running amok like a bereaved wizard, thinking that such theatrics could appeal to the emotions of the people of Osun, who have rejected him over what we consider incompetence and poor performance in office.”
The APC campaign chief further accused Governor Adeleke of attempting to blackmail President Tinubu and portray him as an adversary of the people of Osun State.
“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 whose commitment to constitutional governance and the rule of law is well established.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the legally recognised local government administration in Osun State receives the statutory federal allocations due to it every month. It is therefore incorrect and deliberately misleading for Governor Adeleke to accuse President Tinubu of withholding local government allocations. Such falsehood is aimed solely at misleading the public and tarnishing the President’s democratic credentials.”
Oke also alleged that Governor Adeleke and members of the Accord Party were linked to violence against APC members, claiming that more than 30 APC members and supporters had been killed since 2022.
“It is rather ironic that Governor Adeleke now seeks to portray himself as a victim of political intimidation when, since 2022, no fewer than 30 members and supporters of the APC have been killed by Accord Party thugs allegedly sponsored by his administration, with at least 10 of those deaths occurring in recent times.”
He maintained that the people of Osun State could distinguish between what he described as genuine leadership and political theatrics.
Oke further alleged that Governor Adeleke would be required to account for 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.
“He will account for the alleged diversion of the ₦2 billion Federal Government grant released in 2023 for the procurement of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to improve public transportation in Osun State. Similarly, he will explain the management of the ₦17 billion ecological funds received by the state in 2024 and 2025, as well as the over ₦1 trillion revenue that accrued to the state under his administration.”
According to Oke, the people of Osun have resolved to support what he described as a new era of responsible, transparent and people-oriented leadership under the APC and its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO).
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