Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has labeled the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, a threat to democracy, calling on President Bola Tinubu to rein in the former Kano State governor.
In a statement issued Monday by his media aide, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke responded to Ganduje’s comments following the APC’s victory in the Ondo State governorship election. Ganduje had reportedly pledged to seize Osun in the 2026 elections, a declaration Adeleke criticized as inflammatory and anti-democratic.
Accusations of Political Destabilization
Adeleke accused Ganduje of seeking to stoke political tensions in the South West, undermining the region’s unity and threatening President Tinubu’s leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Dr. Ganduje’s comments contradict the democratic principles championed by President Tinubu,” Adeleke stated. “Electoral outcomes are determined by local dynamics, not by external impositions or threats.”
Drawing parallels with Ganduje’s challenges in Kano, Adeleke pointed out how local resistance enabled the Kwankwasiyya faction to outperform Ganduje’s bloc during his tenure as governor.
“If Ganduje failed to impose his will in his own state, what makes him think the people of Osun, who have endorsed Governor Adeleke, will allow their democratic rights to be undermined in 2026?” Adeleke asked.
Osun’s Political Strength
Adeleke emphasized Osun’s status as a bastion of Yoruba political freedom, highlighting its history of resisting electoral manipulation. He warned that Ganduje’s tactics, which might work elsewhere, would fail in Osun due to its strong democratic traditions.
“Osun is the heart of Yoruba culture, where political freedom is deeply valued,” Adeleke said, urging Ganduje to better understand the state’s political landscape.
Defections Bolstering PDP
Adeleke noted recent defections from opposition parties to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun, further consolidating the party’s position. He dismissed Ganduje’s threats as baseless, suggesting they lacked backing from President Tinubu.
“If Ganduje truly supports President Tinubu, he should focus on fostering unity and not sowing discord in the South West,” Adeleke concluded, reiterating his commitment to protecting the political rights of Osun citizens.
The governor’s remarks underscore growing tensions between the PDP and APC as both parties gear up for future electoral contests in the region.
