Gov. Adeleke flags off re-election campaign as Omisore’s loyalists collapse structure for him
By Ismail Azeez
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has formally launched his re-election campaign with a massive show of political strength at Freedom Park, Osogbo, where thousands of supporters, political leaders, labour unions, market associations, youths and women groups gathered to endorse his bid for a second term in office.
The campaign flag-off, which marked the official commencement of activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election, held Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, Osun State capital on Tuesday.
This is as loyalists of the former Osun State Deputy Governor and former National Secretary of the APC, Senator Iyiola Omisore, publicly announced their decision to collapse their political structure into Governor Adeleke’s campaign for second-term bid.
Adeleke reaffirmed his commitment to delivering more dividends of democracy if re-elected.
Addressing the gathering, Adeleke declared that the support of Osun State for Pres. Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained total and unwavering.
“As we seek your votes on August 15th, we also restate our endorsement of our son, father and leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in 2027. Our support for Mr President is unshaken and total,” Gov. Adeleke stated.
The Governor reassured members of the Accord Party and his supporters that the party would participate in the forthcoming governorship election despite the recent Federal High Court judgment affecting some political parties.
He charged supporters to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the electioneering period and avoid any action capable of causing tension or violence.
According to him, Go out to all voting units, mobilise for the Accord. Our party remains a duly registered political party in this country. Rule of law must prevail. Democracy must survive.
“I congratulate Osun people on the victory over the local government issue. I commend the patience of our authentic chairmen and councillors. We have deployed democratic tools to flush out impostors in our council secretariats.
“I hereby repeat my directive to the Commissioner of Police to stop forthwith his protection for the illegal occupation of our council secretariats. I also call on the United Bank for Africa to end its unholy alliance with court sacked APC council chairmen. I demand that our diverted council fund must be fully accounted for by the bank and the sacked chairmen.
“Great members of the Accord, I have watched and listened to the many associations and groups that have endorsed my re-election today. I also welcome leaders and members of various groups that defected to Accord. I am indeed overwhelmed with joy and happiness.
“Today, we are seeking a fresh mandate under an updated five point agenda. I promise faithful implementation of the agenda after our victory on August 15th: Youth, women and workers’ welfare; Infrastructure consolidation for economic wellbeing; agro-industrial expansion for human growth and prosperity; affordable health and educational opportunities; and Improved business environment for job creation,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of defectors from the APC and a prominent member of the Omisore political family, Senator Iyiola Omisore across the state, Hon. Folorunso Bamisaye declared support for Governor Adeleke’s re-election.
Bamisaye said they had carefully assessed the political situation in Osun and concluded that Adeleke remained the candidate to beat in the forthcoming election.
He said, “I want to congratulate Governor Ademola Adeleke in the name of the supporters of Senator Iyiola Omisore throughout Osun State. We have decided to join the governor and work for his re-election because of his outstanding performance and widespread acceptance among the people.
“When Adeleke stood almost alone, he defeated our party on several occasions. In 2017, he won nine local governments out of ten in the Osun West Senatorial election. In 2018, he came very close in the governorship election. In 2022, he defeated the APC decisively with a margin of over 28,000 votes.”