Bamidele Salam: Governor Adeleke Is Committed to Peace Before, During and After Osun Election

Osogbo — July 31, 2026 | AccordWatch

Bamidele Salam: Governor Adeleke Is Committed to Peace Before, During and After Osun Election

The Chairman of Media and Publicity for the Adeleke Campaign Organization, Hon. Bamidele Salam, has reaffirmed Governor Ademola Adeleke's commitment to a peaceful, free, and credible governorship election, while pointing out the absence of APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji from Friday's National Peace Committee accord signing in Osogbo.

Speaking on ARISE NEWS, Salam, who is also Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts representing Ede South, Ede North, Egbedore, and Ejigbo Federal Constituency, said Governor Adeleke personally attended the peace accord signing alongside his deputy governor, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, National Assembly members, and other principal officials — even delaying a road commissioning event in Ilesa by four hours to be present.

"You will have observed that, in spite of the governor's schedule ... the governor made it there himself in person ... Without any form of hesitation, the governor signed the articles of the peace accord, and the state chairman of the party was with him to endorse the signing," Salam said.

He contrasted this with the APC candidate's absence, noting that Oyebamiji sent no representative to the event, and that his running mate only arrived after the signing and photographs had concluded. Salam argued that as the leading opposition candidate, and given the APC's alleged links to insecurity and violence in the campaign period, Oyebamiji might have been expected to attend in a show of statesmanship.

Despite the contrast, Salam maintained that Adeleke and the Accord remained committed to the peace accord's principles, saying the Governor had urged INEC and other bodies to ensure the election is not only peaceful but credible.

On Voter Resolve Amid Tensions

Salam said he did not believe political tensions would suppress voter turnout, arguing instead that harassment of party members — particularly by police — had only strengthened residents' determination to participate. He said civil servants, pensioners, farmers, teachers, and other eligible voters across the state remained resolute and would turn out on August 15 to ensure their votes are counted, while calling on security agencies to act professionally and protect all law-abiding citizens exercising their right to vote.

On the SSG Allegations

Responding to questions about the arrest of the Secretary to the State Government, Salam pushed back on suggestions of wrongdoing. He said police reports indicated the SSG was found with ₦4.8 million, two PVCs, and a copy of the voters' register, arguing that none of these items constituted evidence of an offence. He said the cash amount was unremarkable, the PVCs belonged to party canvassers attending a lawful meeting protected under constitutional rights to assembly and association, and the voters' register was a document INEC routinely provides to political parties for voter mobilisation purposes.

On Vote Buying

Addressing allegations of vote buying, Salam said the Accord opposed the practice and had no need to engage in it, citing what he described as Governor Adeleke's strong performance in office as sufficient to secure public support. He called on security agencies to arrest anyone found buying votes, regardless of political affiliation, and urged all 14 political parties in the race to conduct themselves within the rules, expressing confidence that Accord would win the election.