Osun votes cannot be rigged or stolen — Adeleke tells supporters

By Ismail Azeez

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has declared that the forthcoming governorship election in the state cannot be rigged or manipulated, insisting that the votes of the people will determine the outcome of the August 15 poll.

Adeleke made the declaration on Monday while addressing a massive campaign rally in Oke Ila, Ifedayo Local Government Area of the state.

“I heard some politicians vowing to steal the votes. Where and how? Osun votes are untouchable. This is Osun State, the heart of the Yoruba nation. Nobody can rig us out here,” Adeleke said.

According to him, the growing support his administration is receiving across the state reflects the confidence of the electorate in his government.

“We are going round the state. The people are trooping out. The people’s votes will be defended. Their will on August 15 will become a reality. We are getting the votes; they are chasing motor parks. We are winning the people; they are shooting at the people.”

“Osun people are not scared. All these attacks and warmongering only harden our people. Osun people are not cowards. They will vote and defend their votes. We are reaching across towns; they are holed up at their state secretariat.”

“Our records speak for us; their records in office continue to haunt them. We have transformed our major towns, and we are moving to upgrade our rural areas,” he stated.

The Oke Ila monarch, who hailed the governor for bringing massive development to Osun State, said the current administration has acted in line with Adeleke’s chieftaincy title of “Soludero of Oke Ila” by delivering good governance and democratic dividends to every corner of the state.

“Your Excellency, in your second term, Ifedayo presents your government with an ideal site to develop tourism and sporting facilities. The landscape and terrain are conducive to a sports academy, mountain hiking, and tourism resorts,” the royal father told the governor at the town hall.

Addressing the audience from the podium, Governor Adeleke tasked the public not to sell their voter cards or their votes, charging voters to remain vigilant and guard their votes.

“All rumors of rigging, violence, and manipulation are mere fearmongering. We will vote, and we will win this election,” the governor told the rally, which was attended by Deputy Governor Prince Kola Adewusi, House Speaker Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, House of Representatives Member Hon. Clement Akanni Olohunwa, and House of Assembly Member Hon. Kasope Abolarin.

Other leaders who accompanied the governor included the Deputy Director-General of the Imole Campaign, Hon. Kolapo Alimi; Senior Advisor to the Imole Campaign, Hon. Sunday Bisi; Accord State Chairman, Hon. Victor Akande; Osun Central Senatorial candidate, Hon. Ganiyu Olaoluwa; and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Lasun Yusuf.

The governor was received at Ifedayo by top government functionaries, including the Head of Service of the state, Elder Ayanleye Aina, and Special Adviser to the Governor, Hon. Femi Adefila, among others.