Stop blaming Tinubu, Oyetola for your woes, APC replies Adeleke

• The Osun State APC urged Governor Ademola Adeleke to stop blaming President Tinubu and former Governor Oyetola for his political challenges.
• Governor Adeleke accused Tinubu and Oyetola of political persecution and alleged police compromise at a recent campaign rally.
• The APC countered, accusing Governor Adeleke of fueling political violence and sheltering police-wanted hoodlums in the State Government House.
• The party further alleged that Governor Adeleke has empowered dangerous political thugs with appointments and granted them "questionable amnesty" from jail terms shortly before the upcoming election.
• The APC views Adeleke's accusations as a justification for his anticipated defeat in the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

The most serious of these allegations centers on the claim that Governor Adeleke has reportedly granted "undeserved and questionable amnesty" to dangerous political thugs currently serving various jail terms in correctional centers across the state, allegedly just days before the crucial governorship election.

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has publicly urged Governor Ademola Adeleke to cease attributing his political difficulties to President Bola Tinubu and the immediate past governor, Adegboyega Oyetola. This appeal came in a statement issued by APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi, obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday, following Governor Adeleke's remarks at a campaign rally held in Osogbo on Monday.

During the rally, Governor Adeleke reportedly accused both Tinubu and Oyetola of orchestrating his political misfortunes in the state, particularly in the run-up to the forthcoming governorship election. He also conveyed to President Tinubu his perplexity regarding what he termed "political persecution," especially given his endorsement of Tinubu as the Accord Party's presidential candidate for the 2027 election. Furthermore, Governor Adeleke leveled accusations of compromise against the police, while simultaneously reminding his supporters of his constitutional role as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the state.

In response, Olabisi expressed profound dismay over Governor Adeleke's allegations, dismissing them as unsubstantiated, misplaced, and frivolous. The APC spokesperson contended that Adeleke's claims against Tinubu and Oyetola were merely an attempt to justify his anticipated defeat in the upcoming gubernatorial contest. Olabisi further asserted that Governor Adeleke himself was responsible for instigating, promoting, and financing political violence within Osun State, suggesting that the governor often resorts to dancing when intellectual engagement is required to address his perceived inadequacies.

The APC's counter-allegations against Governor Adeleke raise serious concerns regarding the rule of law and potential abuse of executive power in Osun State. Kola Olabisi specifically questioned why Governor Adeleke has allegedly transformed the State Government House into a sanctuary for political hoodlums who are currently on the police wanted list. This accusation points to a troubling pattern of sheltering individuals sought by law enforcement, which could undermine public order and the integrity of the state's criminal justice system.

Further deepening these concerns, the APC spokesperson alleged that Governor Adeleke has been actively empowering dangerous political thugs by granting them "juicy political appointments." This purported practice of integrating individuals with a history of political thuggery into governance structures could foster an environment of impunity and perpetuate political violence in Osun. Such actions, if proven, would represent a significant breach of public trust and a subversion of proper administrative conduct.

Perhaps the most serious of these allegations centers on the claim that Governor Adeleke has reportedly granted "undeserved and questionable amnesty" to dangerous political thugs currently serving various jail terms in correctional centers across the state, allegedly just days before the crucial governorship election. This alleged Osun Governor Adeleke amnesty for thugs, if true, would constitute a profound challenge to the principles of justice and equality before the law, suggesting a willingness to bypass due process for political gain. Lawyers should monitor these allegations as they raise serious concerns about the rule of law and potential abuse of executive power in Osun State, which could lead to future legal challenges or investigations into the Governor's conduct regarding criminal justice and public order.

The accusations leveled by the APC against Governor Adeleke, particularly concerning the alleged questionable amnesty Osun State has seen for convicted thugs and the sheltering of wanted individuals, carry significant implications for the state's governance and the integrity of its electoral processes. Olabisi highlighted the paradox of Governor Adeleke, as the self-proclaimed Chief Security Officer, being simultaneously accused of being the "architect of the series of security breaches" within the state. This contradiction, if substantiated, would indicate a profound failure in the governor's primary duty to maintain public safety and uphold the law, suggesting a potential Governor Adeleke abuse of power in Nigeria.

The APC spokesperson also reiterated that Governor Adeleke's endorsement of President Tinubu for the 2027 election was a voluntary decision and should not exempt him from participating in a free and fair contest in the upcoming Osun governorship election. The party challenged Adeleke to provide tangible proof for his claims of political persecution, emphasizing that competition is a fundamental aspect of democracy. The forthcoming August 15, 2026, governorship election is positioned by the APC as a critical yardstick to objectively measure Governor Adeleke's performance and the validity of his claims of having served the state well, irrespective of the ongoing political violence Osun has experienced.

Lawyers should monitor these allegations as they raise serious concerns about the rule of law and potential abuse of executive power in Osun State, which could lead to future legal challenges or investigations into the Governor's conduct regarding criminal justice and public order.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH