The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State has rejected allegations made by Governor Ademola Adeleke that he and members of the Accord are facing political persecution ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The Osun APC described the claims as unfounded, but Governor Adeleke has insisted that violence and intimidation are targeted at his supporters.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Osogbo on Monday, Governor Adeleke appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the state’s security situation.
He alleged that “seven Accord members have been killed in the past three months and more than 20 others had sustained gunshot injuries, and over 60 party members remained in police custody.”
The governor alleged that “some police personnel were collaborating with political opponents to intimidate Accord members. We call on the President to ensure a free, fair and credible governorship election in Osun State.”
Adeleke also appealed to the President to call the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and Senator Francis Fadahunsi to order, alleging that attacks on his supporters were damaging democratic processes in the state.
According to the governor, “My people are being killed every day. We will not accept any rigging. We will go out en masse and defend our votes,” while urging the President to act as a father of the nation by ensuring peace before, during and after the election.
Also speaking at the rally, Director-General of the Imole Campaign, Senator Lere Oyewumi, alleged that the police had begun arresting Accord leaders ahead of the election, while Deputy Director-General Kolapo Alimi claimed several party leaders were arrested and their properties vandalised during recent operations.
However, in a statement issued on Tuesday, the Osun APC, through its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, dismissed the governor’s allegations as “misplaced” and “frivolous”, accusing Adeleke of attempting to blame President Tinubu and Oyetola for his political challenges.
The opposition party stated, “Your allegations of political victimisation against Tinubu and Oyetola are misplaced and frivolous. The governor’s comments were intended to justify what it described as his expected defeat in the forthcoming election.”
The APC also rejected allegations of political persecution, maintaining that Governor Adeleke had failed to provide evidence to support his claims while accusing his administration of encouraging political violence and granting undue concessions to individuals it described as political thugs.
The party argued that “if the governor believed his administration had performed well, the electorate would determine that claim through the ballot on August 15. The election should be conducted in a free, fair, credible and inclusive atmosphere.”
The APC dismissed Adeleke’s allegations concerning the withholding of state funds and his criticism of former Governor Oyetola, describing the claims as lacking substance.
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