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The Chairman of Media and Publicity for the Adeleke Campaign Organisation, Hon. Bamidele Salam, has reaffirmed Governor Ademola Adeleke’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful, free and credible governorship election in Osun State, saying the governor remains focused on maintaining peace before, during and after the poll.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE NEWS on Friday, Salam said Adeleke’s personal attendance at the National Peace Committee’s peace accord signing in Osogbo demonstrated his administration’s dedication to peaceful democratic processes.
According to him, despite a busy schedule that delayed the commissioning of a road project in Ilesa, the governor attended the event alongside the Deputy Governor, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, members of the National Assembly and other senior government officials.
“You will have observed that, in spite of the governor’s schedule, he made it there himself in person. That shows the commitment His Excellency Governor Ademola Adeleke has to ensuring that the state continues to be in peace before, during and after the election,” Salam said.
He, however, criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging that its governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, failed to attend the peace accord signing, while his running mate arrived only after the ceremony had concluded.
Salam argued that the APC candidate missed an opportunity to demonstrate statesmanship, particularly given allegations linking members of the opposition to incidents of political violence in the state.
Reaffirming the governor’s position, he said: “The governor has said that, in spite of all that has happened, he is a man of peace and is committed to a peaceful conduct of this election. He asks that INEC and other bodies also play their part to ensure that the election is not just peaceful, but also credible.”
Expressing confidence in the electorate, Salam dismissed suggestions that recent political tensions would discourage voter turnout, insisting that residents had become even more determined to participate in the election.
He said civil servants, pensioners, farmers, teachers and other eligible voters across the state were prepared to vote in large numbers and ensure their votes counted.
“The people of Osun are determined and resolved. They will not be deterred or discouraged. They will come out en masse… and at the end of the exercise, the votes they cast will count,” he stated.
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Salam also appealed to the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the military, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies to remain professional and provide adequate protection for all law-abiding voters on election day.
“Anyone who comes out in a lawful and peaceful manner to cast their vote on election day must be protected by the police, the Civil Defence, the military, the DSS and everyone bearing arms in the name of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.
Commenting on the recent arrest of the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaiye, Salam dismissed allegations of wrongdoing, arguing that the cash, Permanent Voter Cards and voter register reportedly recovered from the SSG’s residence did not amount to evidence of any criminal offence.
He maintained that political parties were lawfully issued copies of the voter register by INEC for voter mobilisation and sensitisation, while describing possession of cash in a private residence as lawful.
“There is nothing to be alarmed about regarding someone having ₦4.8 million in his residence… There is nothing untoward or unlawful about having a voters’ register in your possession,” he said.
Salam also rejected allegations of vote buying against the ruling party, insisting Governor Adeleke’s performance in office had earned public support and removed any need to induce voters.
“We as a party are against vote buying. We don’t even need to buy votes because the governor has performed credibly. He has justified the mandate given to him by the people,” he said.
Calling on security agencies to clamp down on electoral offenders, Salam urged the police and other law enforcement agencies to arrest anyone found buying votes, regardless of political affiliation.
He expressed confidence that Governor Adeleke would secure victory at the polls through the support of the electorate, saying, “We are very, very confident that we will win this election by the grace of God Almighty.”
