Adeleke flags off re-election campaign, receives Omisore supporters

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke officially kicked off his campaign for the August 15 governorship election on Tuesday, welcoming defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) into the Accord Party. The campaign launch event in the state capital, Osogbo, saw Adeleke presented with the Accord Party flag by its national chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem.

Addressing a large gathering of party loyalists, Adeleke assured them that the Accord Party would be on the ballot and that his votes would count towards his re-election. He emphasized the deployment of lawful means to protect voting rights and urged supporters to remain courageous. "We will not bow to dark forces; we remain courageous, and we shall again be victorious by the special grace of God," Adeleke stated, urging his supporters to mobilize for the Accord Party across all voting units.

In a related development, Adeleke addressed the recent verdict of the Federal High Court in Osogbo, which sacked the current chairmen of the state's council areas. He instructed the State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, to cease protecting these chairmen and also called on the United Bank for Africa to stop dealing with them, demanding a proper accounting of funds allocated to the councils.

Reviewing his administration's performance, Adeleke highlighted the payment of inherited half-salary debt, cancellation of pension debt, and school rehabilitation projects. He acknowledged support from various endorsing groups and assured defectors of equal opportunities within the Accord Party. He also expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's re-election in 2027 while urging the electorate to vote for the Accord Party in the upcoming governorship poll. Former Osun State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Folorunso Oladoyin, spoke on behalf of the defectors, announcing that supporters of ex-APC National Secretary Iyiola Omisore had joined Accord to back Adeleke's re-election bid.

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Let me start by assuring you all – Accord will be on the ballot; your votes will count; and I will be re-elected as your governor on August 15th. All lawful means are being deployed to sustain and retain our rights to vote and be voted for. We will not bow to dark forces; we remain courageous, and we shall again be victorious by the special grace of God.