Adeleke: Osun’s votes are untouchable

Osun State governorship elections next month cannot be rigged or stolen as the votes of the people of Osun will count and dictate the winner of the polls, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke said on Monday at a massively attended rally in Oke Ila, Ifedayo Local Government.

“I have heard some politicians promising to steal votes. Where and how? Osun votes are untouchable. This is Osun State, the heartland of Yoruba nation. No one can manipulate us here.

“We’re going around the state. The people are gathering. The people’s votes will be defended. Their will on August 15 will become reality. We’re getting the votes; they’re chasing parking lots. We’re winning over the people, they’re shooting at the people.”

“The people of Osun are not afraid. All these attacks and belligerent actions have only hardened our people. The people of Osun are not cowards. They will vote and defend their votes. We are reaching all the towns, they are holed up in their state secretariat.

“Our documents speak for us; their incumbent documents continue to hunt them. We have transformed our major cities and are moving to redevelop our rural areas,” the governor said earlier at the palace of the kings of Ora Igbomina and the palace of the Ajagunla Ifagbamila Orangun of Oke Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin.

The Oke Ila monarch, who hailed the governor for bringing massive development to Osun State, said the present administration has acted in line with its chieftaincy title of “Soludero of Oke Ila” bringing good governance and democratic dividends to every corner of the state.

“Your Excellency, in your second term, Ifedayo offers your government an ideal site to develop tourism and sports facilities. The landscape and terrain are conducive for sports academies, mountain treks, tourist resorts,” the royal father told the governor at the town hall.

While at the podium to address the public, Governor Adeleke instructed the public not to sell their voter cards and votes, calling on voters “to be vigilant and guide your votes.

“All the rumors about fraud, violence and manipulation are just alarmism. We will vote and win this election,” the governor said at the rally attended by the deputy governor, Prince Kola Adewusi; Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Adewale Egbedun; Member of the House of Representatives, Hon Clement Akanni Olohunwa; member of the House of Assembly, Hon. Kasope Abolarin.

Other leaders accompanying the governor include the Deputy Director General of Imole Campaign, Hon Kolapo Alimi; Senior Councilor of Imole Campiagn, Hon. Sunday Bisi; the Accord State President, Hon. Victor Akande; Osun Central Senatorial Candidate, Hon Ganiyu Olaoluwa; former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Lasun Yusuf.

The governor was received in Ifedayo by senior government officials including the Head of State Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina and the Special Adviser to the Governor, Hon Femi Adefila, among others.