Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, Lashes Out at APC Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, Over Threats to Democracy
Naijawebinfo reports that Adeleke has expressed concern over Ganduje’s remarks, urging President Bola Tinubu to take action to prevent further disruptions.
The governor’s statement, released on Monday, was in response to Ganduje’s comments on the APC’s plan to “seize” Osun State in 2026, made after the party’s victory in the Ondo State governorship election.
Adeleke believes Ganduje’s words are an attempt to sow discord and undermine unity in the South West region, which has historically been a stronghold for Tinubu’s presidential ambitions.
The governor accuses Ganduje of trying to create political tension and undermine Tinubu’s leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.
Adeleke views Ganduje’s comments as undemocratic and contradictory to Tinubu’s commitment to democratic principles.
The governor argues that electoral outcomes are shaped by local factors and cannot be influenced by external forces or political rhetoric.
“Dr. Ganduje should recognize that voter behavior is driven by local concerns and realities,” Adeleke said. “What works in one state does not automatically apply to another.”
Adeleke points to Ganduje’s own political setbacks in Kano, where the Kwankwasiyya movement outperformed his faction despite his eight years as governor.
The governor questions Ganduje’s confidence in his ability to replicate this strategy in Osun, a state with a strong tradition of political freedom and resistance to electoral malpractice.
“Osun is the cultural heart of the Yoruba people, where the right to vote is fiercely protected,” Adeleke stated. “It’s puzzling why Ganduje thinks the people of Osun would abandon their mandate in 2026.”
Adeleke accuses Ganduje of jeopardizing Tinubu’s leadership by sowing division within the president’s home region.
The governor urges Ganduje to focus on understanding Osun’s political landscape instead of making threats that could destabilize the region.
Adeleke also highlights recent defections from the opposition to the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun, strengthening the PDP’s position in the state.
The governor dismisses Ganduje’s actions as lacking the support of President Tinubu, emphasizing that the South West will not tolerate attempts to incite conflict or subvert democracy.
