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•Atiku, Aregbesola rally support for ADC, APC candidate gets Muslim leaders’ backing, gov alleges rigging plot, IPAC, police, NSCDC raise security concerns
From Lateef Dada, Osogbo, Isaac Anumihe and Okwe Obi, Abuja and Lukman Olabiyi
The battle for the Osun State governorship has entered its decisive stage, with Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Najeem Salam intensifying their campaigns ahead of Saturday’s election, amid allegations of rigging, political violence and intimidation.
While former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola rallied support for Salam, urging voters to reject the APC, prominent Muslim leaders and about 500 members of the deaf community endorsed Oyebamiji, as Adeleke accused former governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, of plotting to manipulate the poll.
Amid the rising political tension rising, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has condemned thuggery and the freezing of the state government’s accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the governor’s wife, Titilayo Adeleke, led women on a protest against alleged violence, while security agencies moved thousands of personnel into the state to secure the election.
The three-way contest has increasingly taken on the character of a referendum on the direction of the state, with the candidates and their backers presenting competing visions of governance while seeking to mobilise voters along political, religious, grassroots and institutional lines.
•Atiku, Aregbesola rally for ADC
Addressing a massive crowd at the party’s grand rally at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Atiku described the ADC as a platform populated by what he called the finest crop of Nigerians and appealed to Osun voters to give the party their mandate.
Recalling his political relationship with the state, Atiku said the people of Osun had repeatedly supported him and his political allies during previous elections.
“This is the fourth time I am standing on this podium, and each time I stood here, you have given me your vote. I cannot forget that, especially because your daughter is in my house.”
Atiku recalled that he had previously campaigned in the state for Adeleke and later during his presidential campaign, when he said Osun voters delivered their support to him.
He urged the electorate to repeat that support for the ADC by voting for Salam.
“I came here today to appeal to you again to vote for the ADC because it is different from the APC and other parties. The best of Nigerians today are in the ADC,” he said.
The ADC National Chairman, David Mark, also expressed confidence that the party would win the election, urging supporters to turn out in large numbers and protect their votes.
“What we are here to do is celebrate the victory that is coming to the ADC on Saturday,” Mark said, adding that Salam would be inaugurated in November.
The immediate-past Minister of Interior and ADC National Secretary, Aregbesola, used the occasion to present the party as the custodian of the progressive ideals associated with the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
He said governance should focus on service, opportunity and the welfare of citizens, promising that an ADC administration would revive some of the social programmes associated with his administration as governor between 2010 and 2018.
These, he said, would include school feeding and expanded social intervention programmes, alongside free education, improved healthcare and other welfare initiatives.
Salam, who received the party’s flag at the rally, unveiled an ambitious programme covering education, healthcare, electricity and employment.
He promised to create 20,000 jobs for youths within his first 100 days in office if elected.
He also pledged free education from primary through secondary school and promised to establish a committee to reduce tuition fees in higher institutions.
On healthcare, Salam promised free treatment in well-equipped hospitals for children between one and 18 years, pregnant women, elderly citizens and widows.
He also pledged to provide a solution to the state’s electricity challenges.
“On Saturday, nobody will be allowed to rig us out. If we win the election, our electricity will be stable, we have a concrete solution to that,” he said.
•APC mobilises Muslim leaders
While the ADC was rallying support in Osogbo, the APC candidate, Oyebamiji, also received a major endorsement from Muslim leaders and groups in the state.
Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, Tunde Badmus, rallied Muslim leaders and constituents behind the APC candidate at his Osogbo residence.
The gathering attracted about 500 members of the deaf community, many of whom arrived with their Permanent Voter Cards to demonstrate their readiness to participate in Saturday’s election.
Badmus said the mobilisation was not only about the governorship election but also about strengthening the political base of President Bola Tinubu ahead of future political contests.
“We are purposely here regarding President Bola Tinubu; the presidential election is close now, and the foundation has to be laid.”
He said Muslim groups across the region had been consulted and urged them to support the party of the President.
Representatives of Zumuratul Muhmineena, the Qodiriyyah Movement of Nigeria, the League of Alfas, Alasaro and the United Imams also expressed support for Oyebamiji.
Chairman of Zumuratul Muhmineena, Abdul Ganiy Olaoye, said the group was confident of victory for the APC candidate, while a representative of the Qodiriyyah Movement declared the group’s support for Oyebamiji.
The endorsements provide the APC campaign with a significant religious and community mobilisation platform as it enters the final days of the race.
•Adeleke alleges rigging plot
The incumbent governor, Adeleke, meanwhile, accused Oyetola of threatening the credibility of the election through alleged plans to rig the poll.
His reaction followed a viral video in which Oyetola was heard dismissing the significance of political endorsements and insisting that they would not save the governor from defeat.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke interpreted the remarks as evidence of an attempt to undermine the electorate’s choice.
The governor also accused Oyetola of engaging in activities that, according to him, were damaging the image of the APC and President Tinubu in the state.
Adeleke further alleged that members of the Accord Party had been subjected to police harassment because of an alleged alliance between APC supporters and elements within the police command.
He called on national and international pro-democracy organisations to pay attention to developments in the state.
“The bad news for the minister is that Osun people are determined to resist his sadistic agenda. Our people rejected him in 2022 and they will reject his surrogate candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, next Saturday.”
Adeleke maintained that his administration would win through the support of voters and not through manipulation of the electoral process.
“As for us, we are winning this election by the grace of God and the mass support of the people,” he said.
•Women protest alleged violence
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The allegations of intimidation also spilled into the streets when the governor’s wife, Titilayo, led a peaceful protest by women in Osogbo.
The protesters demanded an end to political violence, harassment and intimidation ahead of the poll.
She was accompanied by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ayobola Awolowo, and the Special Adviser on Market Women, Eniola Omotosho.
Addressing stakeholders and security officials, the governor’s wife demanded a free and fair election and urged the security agencies to intervene in alleged attacks on citizens and political actors.
She alleged that some government officials had been harassed, citing the reported arrest and alleged maltreatment of the Commissioner for Environment.
“We are demanding a free and fair election in the forthcoming poll. We want peace; let there be peace,” she said.
The Election Commissioner of Police, Samuel Etaifo, commended the peaceful nature of the demonstration but warned that political gatherings could escalate tension if rival groups clashed.
He said he had been deployed to Osun three weeks before the election because of the security concerns surrounding the poll.
Etaifo assured the protesters that the police would remain neutral and would take action against anyone attempting to manipulate the election.
“If you are an election manipulator, the IG and Nigeria will not forgive you, I will arrest you and take you straight to Abuja. We must get this election right,” he said.
•IPAC warns against violence, questions EFCC action
The Inter-Party Advisory Council also expressed concern over the atmosphere surrounding the election.
IPAC National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, called on political parties, candidates, supporters, government officials and security agencies to de-escalate tensions.
The council condemned thuggery, intimidation, inflammatory rhetoric and other activities capable of disrupting the election.
It also criticised the EFCC’s freezing of the Osun State Government’s accounts, describing the action as politically motivated and capable of affecting the administration of the state.
Dantalle argued that financial investigations could be conducted without resorting to a blanket freezing of government accounts.
He urged all political actors to operate within the Constitution, Electoral Act and other relevant regulations.
“Security personnel must protect voters, candidates, party agents, electoral officials and election materials without discrimination.”
He also urged political parties to cooperate with security agencies and avoid actions capable of provoking confrontation.
According to IPAC, the election provides an opportunity to demonstrate that Nigeria’s democratic institutions can conduct a poll in which the will of the people prevails.
•10,000 NSCDC personnel deployed
The security concerns have prompted the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to deploy 10,000 personnel to Osun.
The deployment covers personnel from 10 neighbouring and strategic commands, including Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta and the Federal Capital Territory.
About 1,000 personnel from each command are expected to reinforce the Osun State Command.
The NSCDC has also deployed specialised formations, including the Special Intelligence Squad, Special Weapons and Tactics Unit, Specialised Female Squad, Mining Marshals, Special Strike Force, Crack Squad and K9 Unit.
Deputy Commandant General in charge of operations, Ayuba Phillip, alongside other senior officers, will relocate to the state to supervise the deployment.
NSCDC Commandant General Ahmed Abubakar Audi directed personnel to remain professional, neutral and respectful of citizens’ rights.
He warned political thugs and others planning to disrupt the election that they would face the full weight of the law.
The corps said its personnel would work with the police, military and other security agencies to secure voters, electoral officials, materials and observers across the state’s 30 local government areas.
•Cleric warns voters against selling votes
Amid the intense political mobilisation, Prophet Sam Olu-Alo of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Adamimogo Grace of Mercy Prayer Mountain Worldwide urged Osun voters to resist vote-buying and choose candidates based on competence and character.
Speaking during an annual prayer and fasting programme in Lagos, Olu-Alo warned voters against accepting money in exchange for their votes.
“Vote with your conscience and not for money,” he said.
He argued that politicians who spend heavily to buy votes could seek to recover their money through corruption after gaining power.
The cleric also appealed to youths not to allow themselves to be recruited for political violence.
He warned that politicians who send young people into violent confrontations often keep their own children away from danger.
Olu-Alo urged voters to protect their ballots and consider the long-term interests of their communities when choosing a governor.
•A contest now shaped by three forces
With the election only days away, the Osun contest is increasingly being defined by three competing forces: the incumbent PDP administration’s effort to retain power, the APC’s attempt to reclaim the state and the ADC’s bid to break the established two-party contest.
Adeleke is relying on his record in office and the strength of the incumbent political structure, while Oyebamiji is drawing support from APC leaders, Muslim organisations and community groups, with the backing of the wider national structure of the ruling party.
Salam, meanwhile, is being presented by Atiku, Aregbesola and the ADC as an alternative progressive platform, with promises centred on free education, healthcare, electricity and rapid job creation.
But beyond the competing manifestos and endorsements, the credibility of the election itself has emerged as a major issue.
Allegations of rigging, political violence, intimidation, vote-buying and the role of security agencies now form a parallel contest to the battle for votes.
For voters, the central question on Saturday will therefore go beyond which candidate commands the loudest rally or the strongest political machinery: whether the election will provide a peaceful and credible avenue for Osun citizens to decide who governs them next.
