Osun State Governor and Accord Party governorship candidate, Ademola Adeleke, has declared that he is unfazed by what he described as the combined weight of the Federal Government and governors backing the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Saturday’s governorship election, insisting that he remains confident of victory.
Speaking on Tuesday during the ARISE News Town Hall Meeting, Adeleke described himself as “a bulldozer” who would not be cowed by federal influence or political pressure.
“I am a bulldozer. I am talk and do. I am not afraid of federal might and governors backing the APC candidate. If they like, they should bring all the governors,” he said.
The governor maintained that although many APC governors were supporting his opponent, they could not determine the outcome of the election because only Osun voters would decide who governs the state.
“Those governors are my friends. I am a civilised administrator. They won’t vote; they can only come and dance, and after the election, we will meet,” he said.
Adeleke also dismissed allegations that his administration had militarised the state ahead of the election, arguing that he lacked the constitutional powers to deploy the armed forces.
“I did not militarise Osun. I have no such capacity. I am not the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” he stated.
Responding to criticism of his frequent public dancing, the governor insisted that his well-known pastime has never interfered with governance or service delivery.
Describing himself as a prudent and hardworking administrator, Adeleke said dancing was part of his personality and family culture, stressing that he had delivered on infrastructure, social welfare, and other sectors despite criticism from political opponents.
“I dance because in my family, we are jolly good fellows. As I am dancing, I am working. There is time for everything; there is time to dance, and there is time to work. Dancing does not stop me from working. I have delivered across all sectors,” he said.
His remarks followed recent comments by Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, who, during an APC campaign rally in Osun, urged voters to reject what he described as a “dancing governor.”
Adeleke dismissed the criticism, saying those uncomfortable with his dancing should learn the skill.
“If they can’t dance, I can teach them how to dance,” he said, adding that dancing remained only a hobby and that the people of Osun appreciated his personality.
“My people love me. Dancing is a hobby. That does not affect my work,” he added.
The governor also accused his predecessor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, of orchestrating the freezing of Osun State Government accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to Adeleke, Oyetola allegedly informed the anti-graft agency that President Bola Tinubu had authorised the action.
“I am sure he told EFCC to freeze our account, that Mr President said it should be frozen,” Adeleke alleged.
He, however, claimed that the situation changed after President Tinubu personally reached out to him.
“So, when Mr President called, a lot of people were shocked. He said he was embarrassed. He said it is not acceptable because I told him the President would not want democracy to go down; he wants a free and fair election,” Adeleke stated.
The governor further alleged that Oyetola had continued to deploy his relationship with the President to pursue political objectives in Osun, claiming that his predecessor was yet to recover from his defeat in the last governorship election.
Adeleke is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party in Saturday’s governorship poll.
Meanwhile, the Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, warned the governor not to underestimate the APC ahead of the election.
In a statement issued through his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Ayodele claimed that President Tinubu was taking a keen interest in the Osun governorship election despite suggestions in some quarters that he was not directly involved.
The cleric advised Adeleke not to be deceived into believing the President was indifferent to the contest.
“Tinubu is fully involved and interested in Osun State. Adeleke shouldn’t allow anybody to deceive him that the President isn’t interested in it. He is closely monitoring the election and wants Adeleke out of power,” Ayodele said.
He further claimed that the APC would deploy its resources, influence and political machinery in the election and urged Adeleke to do everything within the law to retain his mandate.
“The APC will use money, influence, power, forces and the Presidency. It won’t be easy at all; it will be very serious,” the cleric added.
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