By Paul Akomolehin, South West
DAILY COURIER – Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has accused the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, of plotting to destabilise the South West region and urged President Bola Tinubu to rein in the former Kano State governor.
In a statement released on Monday by his media aide, Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke described Ganduje as a threat to democracy, reacting to the APC chairman’s vow to take over Osun State in the 2026 governorship election. Ganduje’s comments followed the APC’s victory in the Ondo State governorship election over the weekend.
Adeleke criticized Ganduje’s remarks as “anti-democratic” and divisive, accusing him of attempting to sow discord in a region that has remained united under President Tinubu’s leadership. The Osun governor argued that such divisive rhetoric undermines Tinubu’s efforts to build a stable and democratic South West ahead of the 2027 elections.
Electoral realities not external impositions
Adeleke expressed disappointment in Ganduje’s approach, noting that electoral outcomes are shaped by local dynamics and cannot be dictated by external influences.
“As a seasoned politician, one would have expected Dr. Ganduje to understand that electoral outcomes are influenced by local factors. What applies in Edo and Ondo is not necessarily reflective of political realities in Osun State,” Adeleke said.
Drawing a comparison to Ganduje’s home state of Kano, where the Kwankwasiyya movement outperformed the APC despite Ganduje’s eight-year tenure as governor, Adeleke questioned the APC chairman’s strategy. “If Ganduje failed in his own state due to internal resistance, why does he think the people of Osun, who endorsed Governor Adeleke, will allow their will to be disregarded in 2026?”
Adeleke asserted that Osun is a bastion of political freedom and has a long-standing tradition of resisting electoral fraud. He emphasized that local grievances and interests, not party machinations, shape voter behavior in the state.
A call for unity and stability
Governor Adeleke also accused Ganduje of undermining President Tinubu’s leadership with his inflammatory rhetoric. “If Ganduje truly supports the president, why is he trying to destabilise the president’s home zone with open threats to violate electoral law and deny citizens their rights to vote?” Adeleke asked.
He advised Ganduje to study the political dynamics of Osun, warning that what worked in Edo and Ondo would not necessarily succeed in Osun due to the state’s unique political culture. Adeleke highlighted the recent defection of opposition members to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which he said had further consolidated his party’s dominance in the state.
In conclusion, Adeleke urged Ganduje to align his actions with President Tinubu’s democratic ideals, cautioning that divisive politics could harm the region’s unity and stability. He maintained that Osun remains committed to upholding democratic principles and would resist any attempt to subvert the will of the people in future elections.
