Governor Adeleke Alerts President Tinubu of Ongoing Repression in Osun, Vows Resistance to Any Rigging Plot

Osogbo — August 3, 2026 | AccordWatch

Governor Adeleke Alerts President Tinubu of Ongoing Repression in Osun, Vows Resistance to Any Rigging Plot

Governor Ademola Adeleke has directly alerted President Bola Tinubu to what he described as systematic repression, killings, and unlawful detentions targeting Osun residents, warning that the people of the state would resist any attempt to rig or manipulate the outcome of the August 15 governorship election.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Osogbo on Monday, the Governor said that over the past three months, the Accord Party had lost seven members to violence, with more than 20 others sustaining gunshot wounds and over 60 currently held in what he called illegal police detention.

"I want to inform Mr President that my people are being killed on a daily basis. Elements within the police are aiding the APC thugs to kill our people. Mr President, Osun is bleeding and your urgent intervention is necessary," the Governor said.

He urged the President to intervene to protect Nigeria's democracy, insisting that Accord was asking for nothing more than a free and fair election. He further alleged that individuals within the Osun APC were invoking the President's name in connection with violence against residents, and appealed to Tinubu to call the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, and Senator Francis Fadahunsi to order, describing the ongoing violence as a grave threat to democracy.

The Governor claimed the Osun election was drawing national and international scrutiny, alleging that foreign embassies and human rights organisations were documenting reports of abuses in the state. He appealed to the President to act "as the father of the nation," noting that Osun had already endorsed Tinubu's re-election bid and calling for reciprocal support at this critical moment. He maintained that Osun residents would not bow to threats and intimidation, insisting they would defend their votes and resist any attempt to deny them the freedom to choose their leader.

Party Leaders Rally Behind Governor

At a separately held but similarly attended rally in Osogbo, where Governor Adeleke was also present, leaders of the Accord Party warned that arrests and violence would not derail the Governor's re-election bid.

Director-General of the Imole Campaign, Senator Lere Oyewumi, alleged that the APC, working with police, had begun arresting Accord leaders, but insisted that violence "from Ilesa to Ila" would not defeat the Governor. "Osun people are resolved to vote and defend their votes. The voters' support for Governor Adeleke is because of his good performance. Killing innocent people only strengthens the resolve of the people to re-elect the governor," Oyewumi said.

Deputy Director-General of the campaign, Hon. Kolapo Alimi, said several Accord leaders had been arrested overnight, adding that reports suggested further arrests were expected. "We heard the arrest will continue tonight. Arresting us won't change the popular acceptance of Accord. We won't be intimidated," Alimi said.

Accord's Osun Central senatorial candidate, Hon. Ganiyu Olaoluwa, warned that those behind the arrests and violence would face public anger. "We know we are being targeted. We know over 60 Accord members are illegally detained. We know our houses are being raided. But we are determined to re-elect our governor with massive support of the people," Olaoluwa said.

The Governor later met separately with the state's Butchers Association and Hausa community leaders, both of whom pledged their support for his re-election bid.

Signed:

Mallam Olawale Rasheed

Spokesperson to the State Governor