By Ayodele Oni
“Osun people are reticent, do not succumb to intimidation, blackmail or injustice” – Adeleke
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has maintained that despite intimidation and external interference, people of the state will not succumb as the August 15 governorship election draws near.
The governor stated this in a post on Thursday morning as reactions trailed the detention of Teslim Igbalaye, secretary to the state government (SSG), by operatives of the police command over alleged vote buying.
Igbalaye was detained on Wednesday night alongside others after the police raided his private residence in Osogbo.
In a statement, Abiodun Ojelabi, police spokesperson in Osun, said N4.8 million and other electoral materials were recovered from a residence linked to the SSG.
Ojelabi said other exhibits recovered included one Dynabook laptop, one photocopy machine, one printer, two voter cards, and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15.
The police spokesperson said the recovery of the cash and the register containing voters’ details raises serious concerns over possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.
The development comes amid heightened political tension ahead of the state’s governorship election scheduled for August 15.
In recent weeks, the political atmosphere in the state has become increasingly charged, with supporters of Adeleke, who is seeking a second term on the platform of Accord,Party and the All Progressives Congress (APC) trading accusations and verbal attacks.
In a statement issued earlier, Kolapo Alimi, Osun commissioner for information and public enlightenment, accused operatives of the state police command, led by the deputy commissioner of police (operations), of carrying out the “systematic invasion, attacks and bursting” of the residences of the SSG and six commissioners.
Alimi condemned what he described as “gestapo operations” on the homes of the SSG and other government officials.
He described the alleged raids on the residences of the SSG and the commissioners as “an aggravated assault on the government and people of Osun State” and “a grave danger” to the country’s democracy.
Although Adeleke did not directly address the detention in his post, he maintained that no amount of intimidation or harassment would make the people of the state succumb to fear ahead of the election.
“Throughout the history of Osun State, our people have never bowed to intimidation. We are resilient, determined, and fiercely protective of our rights,” he wrote.
“As we approach the August 15 governorship election, I have absolute confidence that no amount of external interference or intimidation can override the collective will of the people of Osun State.”
The governor maintained that the verdict of the people would prevail, adding that “independent polls consistently point to a clear and decisive victory for Accord Party, because the people can see and feel the impact” of his administration.
“From infrastructure and education to healthcare, workers’ welfare, and pension reforms, our record speaks for itself,” he said.
“By the grace of God and with the continued support of the good people of Osun, our second term will build on these achievements and deliver even greater progress for every community. The best days of Osun are still ahead.”
He urged his supporters to remain united and vigilant, vote for the party, and be prepared to defend their votes in the forthcoming election.
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