Adeleke/Tinubu poster deepens rift between APC and Osun govt

From Lateef Dada, Osogbo

A billboard showing President Bola Tinubu and Governor Ademola Adeleke has worsened tensions between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Osun State Government.

The sign, spotted in Ward 12, Iwo Local Government Area, has sparked a row.

The APC called the pairing “fraudulent.” In a Thursday statement, APC media director Kola Olabisi said the billboard, labelled “Continuity of Progress” and backed by a vague group called “Osun Leaders of Thought,” takes dirty politics too far.

“There could not be any acceptable reason for the sponsorship of the fraudulent billboard other than a flagrant display of irreverent attitude orchestrated by political Jews with a mission to compare the sky with the ground,” he said.

He added, “We want to tell the whole world that we are vehemently condemning and dissociating our party from the nose and eye sore which exemplified political heresy in the heartland of the core progressive politics in the affected part of the state.”

Olabisi claimed the billboard’s backers lack tact, hinting it might tie to an Iwo native benefiting from Adeleke’s government. “It means that the lingering sociopolitical challenges of the 34-year-old Osun State appear irredeemable,” he said.

Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, hit back, saying the APC is rattled by Adeleke’s growing support. “The opposition is confused about the groundswell of support for Governor Adeleke across party lines and across local and national audience,” he said.

“The public at home and abroad are impressed by the huge delivery of the administration across sectors. Interestingly, the appraisal of performance is coming from federal and non-governmental bodies.”

Rasheed argued the APC’s credibility is crumbling, even with the Presidency. “The opposition is therefore running amok, ranting over billboards from non-governmental groups, displaying ignorance over investment drive, and wandering over reality of its unelectability,” he said.

“The imminent re-election of Governor Adeleke will be the outcome of unwavering people’s support, evidence-based performance in office, eternal vigilance of people to protect their votes, and the divine grace of God. A Governor who has done so much for his people and who enjoys so much goodwill among national leaders is unbothered by the rantings of an unelectable opposition.”