August 15: Adeleke Alleges APC Of Plot To Rig, Urges Osun Electorates To Be Vigilant
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has called on electorates to be vigilant ahead of the August 15, gubernatorial election, alleging the opposition All Progressives Congress of a plot to rig the poll.
Adeleke said the recent statements by the candidate of the APC, Mr Bola Oyebamiji and the leader of the party in Osun, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, that the party would win the coming election free and fair were an afterthought, adding that the Osun APC had allegedly made several open threats to rig the poll.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor described the statement by the APC chieftains as “a deceitful utterance designed to mask the failed, dark agenda to tamper with people’s will on August 15th.
Adeleke said Osun people are not deceived by the pledge of the APC chieftains to support free and fair elections, noting that “the APC candidate and his supporters must apologise for their several posts and open threats to forcefully take over Osun government irrespective of people’s will on August 15th.
“The Osun APC campaign operatives have issued several warnings and social media posts to use federal might to override popular votes. What now changed that Mr Oyebamiji suddenly embraced free and fair elections? Why was the Minister also echoing similar lines?
“Members of the public take their assurances with a pinch of salt. The threats to free and fair polls persist. The determination of the Osun APC to secure power through the back door is still its main, hidden strategy. Attempt to paper over previous open threats is unacceptable.
“Osun APC must recommit itself to democratic ethos by abandoning its evil plot to disable Accord as a party; by stopping its agenda against my candidacy; by abandoning its deliberate financial strangulation of Osun grassroots; by apologising to thousands of Osun people who bear the brunt of its anti – people conduct; and by allowing federal agencies to operate impartially in Osun state”, the governor was quoted as saying.
While calling for eternal vigilance among all lovers of democracy, the governor commended the emergence of ward-based anti-rigging squads and said Osun voters are demonstrating unwavering readiness to resist electoral robbery come August 15th.
The governor said the people are ready to combat technical and manual manipulations during the electoral process, affirming that “it is too late in the day for the Osun APC to whitewash its declared intention against the electoral will of Osun people.
“My team and my party are committed to mobilisation for a free and fair contest in which the votes of the people must count at all costs. As a man of the people, I am committed to peaceful contests devoid of violence and electoral banditry.
“I strongly believe that I have the backing of the overwhelming majority of Osun people at home and abroad to continue to pursue my innovative agenda which has repositioned the state as a model within the comity of nations. I am elated that the people have vowed to harshly treat electoral bandits before, during and after the governorship elections”, the governor was quoted as concluding in the statement.
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.
