“Osun residents would not tolerate a repeat of pre-election violence” – Ajibola Basiru warns Adeleke’s govt

Senator Ajibola Basiru, Ph.D, National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has issued a strong call to action, urging stakeholders to rein in Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and his aides, following incendiary statements capable of unsettling the peace in the state.

In a release issued on Sunday, Senator Basiru expressed grave concern over recent remarks by the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Kazeem Akinleye, describing them as reckless and threatening to opposition members ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial election.

He warned that such rhetoric could escalate tensions and spark unnecessary violence.

“Osun people are known for their peaceful disposition and will not succumb to intimidation from a government that has consistently failed to deliver on its promises,” Senator Basiru remarked.

“The intimidating posture of this administration signals a clear fear of electoral judgment, as their incompetence and lackluster performance remain evident to all.”

The statement criticized the PDP-led administration for neglecting governance in favor of political strong-arming, noting that in over two years, the government has failed to implement meaningful youth empowerment programs or commence the long-anticipated teachers’ recruitment exercise, despite public outcry over staff shortages in public schools.

Senator Basiru warned that no political party holds a monopoly on violence and reminded the current administration that Osun’s citizens would not tolerate a repeat of the pre-election violence that marred the 2022 and 2023 electoral periods.

He called on the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to urgently summon Mr. Akinleye for questioning regarding his inflammatory statement that citizens must either vote for Governor Adeleke or leave the state ahead of the 2026 elections.

“The primary duty of any responsible government is to safeguard the lives and property of its citizens, not instill fear or subject them to intimidation. Osun people will have their say in 2026 and make it abundantly clear that they can distinguish between sincerity and deception,” Senator Basiru affirmed.