Osun APC, Adeleke trade words over campaign billboard bearing Tinubu, Adeleke
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Osun State Chapter and Governor Ademola Adeleke have been locked in a verbal confrontation over a campaign billboard featuring images of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Adeleke.
The opposition party, in a statement issued by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, explained that the billboard was displayed in Ward 12, Iwo Local Government Area of the state.
According to Olabisi, “It does not take a genius to see that the deliberate pairing of President Tinubu’s image with that of the clearly struggling Governor Adeleke on this contentious billboard is sending a clear message to discerning individuals.
“It signals that the political tensions faced by the PDP-led government in the state are reaching a critical point, with a significant loss of popularity just three years into the tenure of this controversial PDP governor.”
He continued, “We want to categorically state that it is both dishonest and reckless to use President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strong image to attempt to sell the obviously flawed political figure of Governor Adeleke.”
Olabisi further remarked that despite the efforts of Governor Adeleke and his supporters, these attempts to present a flawed political figure in a positive light have failed and ended in complete failure.
“We wish to make it clear to our valued members and supporters that this deceptive billboard did not originate from us and should therefore be disregarded.
“It is merely another frivolous attempt by the failing so-called ruling party to engage in underhanded political tactics in a democracy,” he concluded.
In response, Governor Adeleke, through a statement from his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, dismissed the APC’s comments about the billboard as a sign of an identity crisis and political irrelevance.
Rasheed argued that the APC was being unsettled by the growing endorsements from both national and local figures.
“The shock of these national and local endorsements has caused an identity crisis within Osun APC, as they have lost credibility, from the Presidency to key national figures.
“The opposition is now acting erratically, ranting over billboards from non-governmental groups, displaying ignorance over the investment drive, and detaching themselves from the reality of their unelectability,” he said.
Rasheed added, “Governor Adeleke’s impending re-election will be the result of steadfast public support, a proven track record of performance, the unwavering vigilance of the people to protect their votes, and, ultimately, the divine grace of God. A governor who has achieved so much for his people and enjoys substantial goodwill from national leaders is not concerned by the noise of an unelectable opposition.”
He concluded, “Governor Adeleke assures the people of Osun State that his commitment to delivering good governance is unwavering, and he has the support of men and women of goodwill across party lines, both within the state, nationally, and internationally.”