Osun Election: APC, Adeleke camps trade violence allegations ahead of August poll

The All Progressives Congress and the campaign team backing Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke have levelled competing accusations of fostering political violence as the state prepares for its next governorship election on August 15, 2026. The Imole Campaign Council, which coordinates support for Adeleke's re-election bid under the Accord Party, has called on law enforcement agencies to intervene against what it describes as widespread intimidation and violent acts linked to political activities in communities across the state.

The APC, through its media director Kola Olabisi, has in turn challenged Adeleke's administration to address what the party characterises as failures in security and governance. Speaking at a church service in Osogbo, Governor Adeleke called on voters to disregard opposition threats and participate in the election.

He specifically named Gboyega Oyetola, the Marine and Blue Economy minister and APC's governorship candidate, alongside other party figures including Bola Oyebamiji, Senator Adenigba Fadahunsi, and Wole Oke, accusing them of deploying violence because voters have rejected their candidacy. The Imole Campaign Council's statement, issued through spokesman Pelumi Olajengbesi, reported receiving complaints from residents about intimidation tactics and violence attributed to political movements.

The council has appealed to security agencies to guarantee a peaceful, free, and credible electoral process while safeguarding voters' constitutional rights. The mutual accusations reflect intensifying tensions between the two camps as the election date draws closer.

Both sides have framed their respective security concerns as evidence of the other's unfitness to govern, while each urges Osun voters to support their candidate as the path to stability and sound leadership in the state.