By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo
The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign council has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of alleged involvement in oath-taking and vote-buying activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The APC campaign council alleged that members of the Accord Party had been administering oaths to residents and allegedly inducing them with money to support Adeleke at the poll.
In a statement on Friday, Chairman of the APC Media Committee, Remi Omowaye, said the party had video evidence purportedly showing Accord members distributing money to residents after administering oaths of allegiance.
Omowaye described the alleged practice as a dangerous development capable of undermining the democratic process.
He said, “This latest dimension of vote-buying is not only dastardly and crude but also morally reprehensible. It represents a dangerous descent into political desperation and an affront to the democratic values that guarantee every citizen the freedom to vote according to their conscience without coercion, intimidation or manipulation.”
The APC campaign council further alleged that the development showed that the governor was worried about his chances in the election.
The party claimed that the alleged activities were aimed at influencing vulnerable citizens, adding that political campaigns should be based on achievements and policies rather than coercion.
However, the Imole Campaign Council Media Committee Chairman, Bamidele Salam, dismissed the allegations, saying Governor Adeleke was not involved in or aware of any such activities.
Salam said the council was investigating the authenticity, source and circumstances surrounding the videos cited by the APC.
“However, it is important to state categorically that Governor Ademola Adeleke has neither authorised, participated in, directed nor endorsed the taking of any oath by anyone in relation to the August 15 governorship election or for any other political purpose,” he said.
He described Adeleke as a democrat who believes in the freedom of citizens to make political choices based on their conscience.
According to Salam, the governor’s campaign was based on his administration’s achievements, vision for Osun State and the confidence of the electorate, rather than intimidation or any alleged clandestine practices.
“Governor Adeleke does not need oaths, threats, intimidation or any form of coercion to secure the support of the people of Osun State,” he added.
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