Dele Momodu, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, has warned Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State that the upcoming governorship election risks being compromised by federal influence. In a post on X, Momodu asserted that the Independent National Electoral Commission operates under the complete control of President Bola Tinubu and will not deliver a free, fair, or credible poll.
Momodu described the Osun contest as a dress rehearsal for the All Progressives Congress’s strategy ahead of the 2027 presidential election. He alleged that APC operatives have been instructed to secure victory “by any means necessary” and manage the fallout afterward. The ADC leader claimed to have received warnings from contacts within the ruling party about the scale of planned interference.
The former presidential candidate urged Adeleke to remain steadfast, acknowledging the governor’s performance in office while dismissing the opposition’s record. He framed the election as a test of institutional independence against what he characterized as a determined effort to subvert democratic processes for long-term political advantage.
Momodu’s intervention underscores mounting anxiety among opposition figures about the neutrality of electoral bodies under the current administration. His allegations echo broader concerns about the integrity of off-cycle Elections as indicators of federal commitment to credible polls. The Osun election, scheduled for Saturday, will be closely watched for signs of irregularities that could validate or refute these claims.
Security agencies and election observers have yet to respond publicly to the specific allegations. The INEC has previously insisted on its autonomy and readiness to conduct transparent elections across all states. As campaigning closes, the focus shifts to whether the commission can demonstrate operational independence in a high-stakes contest that both major parties view as critical to their national ambitions.
