Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the political situation in the state, warning that rising tensions could threaten peace ahead of the governorship election.
In a statement shared on his X account on Tuesday following a campaign rally in Olorunda Local Government Area, Adeleke urged the President to ensure that the forthcoming election is conducted in a free, fair and peaceful atmosphere.
The governor said he made a direct appeal to the President during the rally, expressing concern over what he described as growing insecurity and political tension in the state.
“At the campaign rally today in Olorunda local government area, I appealed directly to Mr. President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Osun is bleeding, and our people will not be intimidated. His intervention is needed, the loss of innocent lives in Osun must stop. All we are asking for is simply a free and fair election.”
Adeleke further urged President Tinubu to act as a statesman by protecting Nigeria’s democratic values, while cautioning against allowing the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to undermine the electoral process.
“Mr. President must act as the father of this nation and help safeguard the democracy he fought for. I reminded the President that the 2027 general elections are also around the corner, and he should not allow his nephew, Mr. Oyetola, the Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, to ruin his name and the democracy he fought along with many others.”
The governor also warned against a return to the political violence that marred the South-West in 1983, saying Nigerians should work collectively to preserve peace and democracy.
“It is our collective prayer that as a country, may we never witness such incident as the political violence of 1983 particularly in the southwest. Democracy works when the people freely chose their leaders, a demand not too much for citizen of Osun State to make.”
Adeleke reiterated his call for credible elections, insisting that the people of Osun should be allowed to freely choose their leaders without intimidation or violence.