Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the rising political tension in the state.
While warning that Osun is “bleeding”, he urged the President not to allow the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, to plunge the state into violence.
Adeleke made the appeal in a statement posted on his official social media page on Monday after addressing supporters at a campaign rally in Olorunda Local Government Area of the state.
According to the governor, the loss of innocent lives linked to political violence in Osun has become a major concern, stressing that residents deserve nothing more than a peaceful and credible electoral process.
“At the campaign rally today in Olorunda Local Government Area, I appealed directly to Mr. President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Osun is bleeding, and our people will not be intimidated. His intervention is needed. The loss of innocent lives in Osun must stop. All we are asking for is simply a free and fair election,” Adeleke said.
The governor urged Tinubu to act in his capacity as the leader of the country by protecting Nigeria’s democratic values, recalling the President’s long-standing involvement in the struggle for democracy.
According to Adeleke, with the 2027 general elections drawing closer, the President should not allow his administration to be associated with actions capable of undermining the democratic process in Osun.
“Mr President must act as the father of this nation and help safeguard the democracy he fought for. I reminded the President that the 2027 general elections are also around the corner, and he should not allow his nephew, Mr. Oyetola, the Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, to ruin his name and the democracy he fought along with many others,” he stated.
The governor also warned against a return to the era of political violence, saying Nigerians, particularly those in the South-West, should never experience a repeat of the events that characterised the 1983 political crisis.
“It is our collective prayer that, as a country, we may never witness such incidents as the political violence of 1983, particularly in the South-West. Democracy works when the people freely choose their leaders, a demand that is not too much for the citizens of Osun State to make,” Adeleke added.
Adeleke maintained that the appeal was aimed at ensuring a peaceful political atmosphere and protecting the right of Osun residents to freely elect their leaders.
‘Osun is bleeding’ – Adeleke tells Tinubu not to let Oyetola set state on fire