Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has accused former governor Gboyega Oyetola and other opposition figures of allegedly using federal influence to intimidate his supporters ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
Adeleke made the allegation during the ARISE NEWS Town Hall Meeting in Osun State while responding to questions about alleged federal interference, his relationship with President Bola Tinubu and Oyetola’s role in the election.
The governor questioned why his political opponents would allegedly arrest and intimidate his supporters if they were confident of winning the election.
“The only reason I’m reporting our candidates is that they are in jail. For what?”
He added: “If you know that you can win, why are you arresting my people? Why are you using federal might to arrest, to intimidate Osun people?”
Adeleke said he had continued engaging religious leaders and other stakeholders in an effort to prevent political tensions from escalating.
He also alleged that some of his political opponents had been invoking President Tinubu’s name in their dealings with state institutions.
According to Adeleke, the President had assured him that the election would be free and fair.
The governor said he also spoke with Tinubu following the freezing of Osun State Government accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
“As for Mr. President calling me, like I said before, I really appreciate him for calling,” Adeleke said.
He claimed that Tinubu expressed concern over the EFCC action and assured him that the matter would be addressed.
However, Adeleke suggested that the President might not always be aware of how his name was being used by political actors at the state level.
“You know, the President has a real job to do. Most of the time, he might not even know.”
The governor specifically accused his predecessor, Oyetola, of allegedly using the President’s name in the political contest.
“Politics is local. It is Oyetola that is feeling the pain of defeat. And he has vowed that he will destroy Osun State by using, by dropping Mr. President’s name and destroy Osun State,” he alleged.
Adeleke maintained that Oyetola should not be the focus of the election because he is not contesting the governorship poll.
“But this same Oyetola, he’s not on the ballot. He’s not on the ballot. Leave that alone,” he said.
The governor also criticised the All Progressives Congress, APC, over its handling of its governorship primary, particularly the disqualification of several aspirants.
“Can’t you see that APC is in disarray? You told everybody that they will go to the field. How can somebody, the caliber of Oyetola, be disqualified when you already told them they should go to the field?”
Adeleke said about seven aspirants had been disqualified, describing them as experienced politicians.
He further alleged that campaign billboards belonging to his supporters had been destroyed.
“Why are you, if you know that you can win, why are you destroying my billboard?”
The governor said he had instructed his supporters not to retaliate.
“And I told my people, don’t destroy their billboards. Leave it.”
Describing himself as a peaceful governor, Adeleke urged his supporters to avoid violence and allow voters to determine the outcome of the election.
“On my own side, I’m always preaching for free and fair election.”
He added: “This election is going to be free and fair election. No violence.”
Adeleke also urged voters to remain calm when provoked at polling units.
“Even when you are about to vote, when somebody matches you, it’s because they cannot win. Don’t fight them.”
The governor expressed confidence that his performance in office would earn him a second term.
“And I know, for the job that you have done, oh, God have mercy. I’m coming back for the second time. Ain’t nobody stopping me.”
Adeleke also defended his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the Accord Party, saying the move followed consultations with his political stakeholders.
He maintained that Osun had remained peaceful until political activities surrounding the 2026 election intensified and urged voters to maintain peace.
“It is the people, it is the Osun people that will decide.”
The governor also defended his administration’s record, citing road construction, healthcare, education, agriculture and security as areas where he said his government had made significant progress.
According to Adeleke, his administration has completed more than 350 kilometres of roads, with another 160 kilometres under construction. He also said about 200 healthcare centres had been rehabilitated.
The governor rejected allegations that some of his road projects were substandard, saying engineers had assessed the projects.
READ MORE: Adeleke Urges Tinubu To End Osun Violence Before Election
Adeleke also defended his public dancing, which has become a recurring subject of criticism from his political opponents.
“Nobody, I repeat, nobody will stop me from dancing. As I’m dancing, I’m working.”
He said his administration should be judged by its projects and policies rather than his personal style.
Adeleke maintained that the people of Osun State would ultimately determine who governs the state in the 2026 election.
