2026: Osun Govt, APC Bicker Over Plans To Cause Unrest
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The Osun State Government and the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, have engaged in a war of words over alleged plans to incite violence in the state.
The APC had on Sunday, alleged Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, the Chief of Staff to Governor Ademola Adeleke, of threatening members of the APC in Ede on the forthcoming 2026 governorship election in the state.
Osun Defender gathered that the allegation was initially made by the National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru.
The APC said Akinleye, in a recorded video, also assured his audience that the February 2025 local government council election was a done deal and told members of his party to continue to rejoice over the yet-to-be-held local government council elections, signifying the readiness of the ruling government to rig the elections.
APC in a statement by its
Director of Media and Information, Chief Kola Olabisi, said the CoS made the statements on Saturday in Ede while speaking at a public forum, adding that Akinleye also allegedly said the PDP would employ all possible means to secure the return of Adeleke in the 2026 election.
“He warned that it would be better for the members of the APC in the town who would not cast their votes for the PDP candidate whom he believed to be Governor Adeleke to instantly relocate to Coutonu in The Republic of Benin
“The Chief of Staff stated that any Ede native or resident who could not appreciate the level of development that Governor Adeleke has attracted to the ancient town is not worthy to be in Ede during the period of the 2026 governorship election.
“Akinleye explained further that there won’t be a safety guarantee for any member of the opposition party in Ede who might be staying in his house to evade casting his vote for Governor Adeleke’s second term return during the election.
“It is a pity that a ranking political functionary of the calibre of the chief of staff to Governor Adeleke could descend so low to instigate violence with reference to the forthcoming 2026 governorship election.
“It is now crystal clear that Governor Adeleke’s administration has been bedevilled with credibility problem because of the dearth of credible political functionaries to offer qualitative advice to the satellite governor.
“If a Chief of Staff to a governor could be preaching violence over an election, one wonders the types of directives that would be emanating from his office to his subordinates in the running of the affairs of the state,” the statement said.
APC, in the statement, urged the State Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Department of State Security(DSS) to investigate and prosecute Akinleye.
The statement added, “It is based on the foregoing that we are appealing to the State Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Department of State Security(DSS) not to treat the threat of violence against the opposition by Akinleye with levity but invite, investigate and prosecute the chief of staff.
“It would not be out of tune to hold Akinleye responsible by the statutory security services for any violent actions that may break out in any part of the state from the period he made the reckless and unguarded statement against the opposition as he has proved to be the godfather of political hoodlums who are ubiquitous in the state harassing, beating and maiming the peace-loving residents of the state.”
But in a swift reaction, the spokesperson to Governor Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed denied the allegations,
Rasheed said the National Secretary of the All Progressive Congress, Dr Ajibola Bashiru, who raised the alarm, was only frustrated about the incredible delivery of projects and services by Adeleke.
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He added that the APC National Secretary was equally shocked by the transformation of Osogbo, his hometown, hence the leveling of baseless allegations and the twisting of harmless statements made by Akinleye.
“At no time did the Governor or the Chief of Staff threaten violence as there is no reason to do so in view of the incredible level of support and goodwill the current administration is enjoying in Osun state. Governor Adeleke is a man of peace who did not raise a finger when he was electorally robbed in 2018, while the Chief of Staff is a widely known peace-loving political strategist who peacefully schemed alongside others for the APC’s defeats in the last elections.
“The APC Secretary is only twisting facts, misinterpreting phrases and putting criminal colouration to a normal call on Osun people to reward good work of Governor Adeleke with a new mandate in 2026 and protect their votes from electoral bandits of any colour.
“We also note that the APC Secretary is surprised and agitated about the increasing partnership and collaboration between the Adeleke administration and the Federal Government. He is really in shock with regular visits and commendations for the state governor from top federal officials who genuinely appreciate good governance delivery in Osun state.
“We call on security agencies to ignore the false alarm raised by the APC National Secretary. Neither Governor Adeleke nor his Chief of Staff is an agent of violence. It is the APC leaders who have been boasting about their plots to steal the 2026 elections in Osun state.
“In response, the State government and its functionaries have been advocating for free and fair polls and the need for people to protect their votes. Is the APC Secretary afraid of calls on people to protect their votes?
“Instead of maligning top government leaders who are doing so much to develop Osogbo, Dr Bashiru should be thankful to Governor Adeleke for his extensive developmental scorecard in Osogbo and across the state.”
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
