Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the growing political violence in the state, warning that the country must not allow a repeat of the political crisis that engulfed the South-West following the 1983 elections.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Olorunda Local Government Area on Monday, Adeleke urged the President to ensure a peaceful and credible governorship election scheduled for August 15. He maintained that the people of Osun would resist intimidation and any attempt to manipulate the electoral process.
The governor also revealed that the Accord Party and his supporters had endorsed President Tinubu for re-election, questioning why violence was still being allowed to persist despite their support for the President.
“President Tinubu, you asked us to endorse your re-election which we have done. Why then are they killing our people?” Adeleke said.
He further appealed to the President not to allow history to repeat itself.
“Don’t let what happened in 1983 repeat itself. President Tinubu, Osun people and the Accord Party have endorsed you as our presidential candidate. Why are we suffering? Why is our money being kept?” he asked.
The governor accused the police of failing to act impartially and called on the Federal Government to direct security agencies to intensify efforts against kidnappers and other criminal elements rather than becoming involved in political disputes.
“The police have become compromised. The kidnappers are there, let them go after them. President Tinubu, I am crying out to you now, so you won’t say I didn’t speak out. I am the chief security officer of Osun State,” Adeleke stated.
Adeleke drew comparisons between the current political climate and the events that followed the disputed 1983 governorship elections in the South-West.
The 1983 elections, conducted after the re-election of then-President Shehu Shagari, were marred by widespread allegations of electoral malpractice. The declaration of candidates from the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) as winners in several opposition-controlled states triggered protests, arson, killings and prolonged political unrest across the region.
With tensions rising ahead of the August 15 governorship election, Adeleke warned that Osun must not experience a similar crisis.
“It is our collective prayer that, as a country, may we never witness such an incident as the political violence of 1983, particularly in the South-West,” he said.
The governor also appealed to President Tinubu to caution the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, accusing him of contributing to the political tension in the state.
“Oyetola needs to be called to order. We all have children. May the blood of innocent children killed punish those behind the killings. May God punish them,” Adeleke said.
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Following the rally, the governor reiterated his appeal in a post on X, insisting that Osun residents deserve a peaceful and transparent election.
“His intervention is needed. The loss of innocent lives in Osun must stop. All we are asking for is simply a free and fair election,” he wrote.
Adeleke also urged President Tinubu to act as a statesman by safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic process, stressing that the credibility of future elections depends on protecting lives and ensuring that voters are allowed to freely choose their leaders without fear or intimidation.
With campaigns intensifying ahead of the August 15 governorship election, political activities have increased across Osun State, as parties seek to mobilise support in what is expected to be a closely watched contest.
