The Accord Party governorship candidate in the August 15 Osun State governorship election, Governor Ademola Adeleke, has declared that he is not intimidated by the perceived support of the Federal Government and some state governors for his major opponent, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.
Adeleke, who described himself as a “bulldozer”, said he was prepared to face what he termed the influence of federal power and governors backing the APC candidate.
The governor stated this on Tuesday during the Arise Townhall Meeting, where he maintained that the presence of governors campaigning for his opponent would not determine the outcome of Saturday’s election.
“I am a bulldozer. I am talk and do. I am not afraid of federal might and governors backing the APC candidate. If they like, they should bring all the governors,” Adeleke said.
He described the governors as his friends, arguing that while they could visit Osun and campaign for their preferred candidate, they would not be the ones casting the votes.
“Those governors are my friends. I am a civilised administrator. They won’t vote; they can only come and dance, and after the election, we will meet,” he said.
Adeleke’s remarks came amid intensified political activities across Osun, with major parties stepping up their campaigns and mobilisation efforts ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The governor also dismissed allegations that his administration had militarised the state, arguing that he lacked the constitutional authority to deploy the military.
“I did not militarise Osun. I have no such capacity. I am not the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” he said.
Adeleke urged his supporters to remain confident, saying the election would ultimately be determined by the voters and not by the political influence of individuals supporting any candidate.