Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has expressed strong confidence that he will secure victory in the August 15, 2026, governorship election if the poll is conducted in a free and fair manner.
Speaking on Monday during a re-election campaign rally in Osogbo, the governor declared: “With God on my side, I am confident of victory. If this election is free and fair, I will win.”
Adeleke, who is seeking a second term on the platform of the Accord Party, alleged that members of his party were being targeted and killed. He appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and ensure the police act professionally and impartially.
“Mr President, something is happening in Osun that you need to know. Our people are being killed and, as our father, we are appealing to you. We will not accept any attempt to rig this election. Do not allow innocent people to be killed. Direct the police to act professionally and impartially,” he said.
The governor reminded the President of the state’s endorsement of his 2027 re-election bid and urged him to protect democratic values. “You fought for democracy, and I urge you not to allow anyone to destroy it. The international community is watching, and this election will be seen as a test ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
Adeleke warned against any attempt to manipulate the outcome of the poll, recalling the political crisis that followed the 1983 elections in Yorubaland. “There won’t be rigging in Osun. Remember what happened in 1983. It started in Yorubaland when they cheated Bola Ige and Ajasin. Osun will not agree. We want a free and fair election.”
He further stated: “When they cheated me in 2018, I left you to govern. I travelled to America. I went into exile to let you do what you had to do. Now I am back. With what we have done, I am going to win this second-term election. What we want is a free and fair election. If it is free and fair, I am going to win the election.”
The governor called on supporters to turn out en masse on election day and remain vigilant until results are declared. “I urge all our supporters to come out on August 15 and vote for me. Stand by your votes until the results are declared. I am ready for this election, and on election day, our revolution will be through the ballot box.”
Fourteen political parties have been cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to field candidates in the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026.