National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has issued a stern warning to Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and his aides to desist from actions that could disrupt the state’s peace. The call comes amid concerns over recent statements by the governor’s Chief of Staff, Kazeem Akinleye, which Basiru described as inflammatory and aimed at intimidating opposition members in the build-up to the 2026 governorship election.
Basiru expressed grave concern over the rhetoric from Adeleke’s administration, labelling it reckless and potentially dangerous. According to him, the people of Osun are known for their peaceful disposition and will not be intimidated by such remarks. He criticised the government for using threats instead of addressing pressing issues in the state, such as youth empowerment and teacher shortages.
The APC scribe highlighted what he referred to as the “failure” of Adeleke’s administration, pointing to a lack of tangible progress on campaign promises. Basiru specifically noted the absence of youth-focused initiatives and a failure to recruit teachers despite public outcry. He argued that the intimidation tactics being employed signal fear of electoral judgement, as the current administration’s performance has not inspired confidence among the electorate.
Basiru further warned that no political party has a monopoly on violence and cautioned against repeating the pre-election chaos that plagued the state in 2022 and 2023. He urged the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Services to summon Akinleye for questioning over his controversial statement that residents must either vote for Adeleke or leave the state. Such comments, Basiru argued, undermine the democratic process and threaten the rights of citizens.
He emphasised that the primary responsibility of any government is to protect lives and foster unity, not to instill fear or intimidate citizens. Basiru assured that Osun voters will exercise their rights in the 2026 elections without coercion and will judge leadership based on performance and sincerity. The APC, he added, remains committed to ensuring a peaceful and credible electoral process.
