Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC), its candidate Bola Oyebamiji, and former Governor Gboyega Oyetola of leveraging federal influence to punish residents for their 2022 electoral decision.
In a statement posted on his verified X handle on Thursday, the governor alleged that the duo had repeatedly used their positions within the ruling party at the national level to target the welfare of Osun citizens. He specifically cited actions threatening the livelihoods of civil servants, Traders, artisans, and ordinary workers across the state.
Adeleke framed the upcoming governorship election as a referendum on the protection of democratic rights. He vowed that the contest would transcend a simple victory, serving instead as a definitive statement that the electorate’s choice must be respected.
“It is about securing a decisive victory that sends a clear and unmistakable message to the APC,” the statement read. “The people of Osun State must always be respected, their democratic choice must be honoured, and no one should ever seek to punish them for exercising their constitutional right to vote.”
The allegations escalate tensions in the state’s political landscape, drawing a direct line between federal patronage and local governance outcomes. Adeleke’s remarks suggest a campaign strategy centered on defending the integrity of the 2022 mandate against what he describes as systematic retribution.
Observers note that the governor’s focus on worker welfare and civil service stability targets a critical voting bloc. The accusation that federal power has been weaponized against a sub-national entity touches on recurring friction in Nigeria’s intergovernmental relations.
As the election timeline progresses, the APC is expected to respond to the specific claims regarding the welfare of state workers and the alleged misuse of federal influence. The discourse sets the stage for a highly charged political atmosphere where the legitimacy of the previous election and the conduct of the incumbent administration remain central debate points.
