Adeleke and Oyebamiji's Campaign Teams Exchange Blame Over June 12 Statements

The Imole Campaign Council, which is managing Governor Ademola Adeleke's re-election efforts in Osun State, has accused the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) of fostering a culture of political intimidation, threats, and inflammatory speech.

In a statement released by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, during the June 12 Democracy Day celebrations in Osogbo on Friday, the council referred to recent shootings in some communities. They claim that a convoy with APC markings was behind these attacks.

Olajengbesi noted that eyewitnesses reported, "The convoy moved through Akoda, Owode, Olaiya, Old Garage, and Oke-Fia, firing shots sporadically. At least three people were seriously injured, among them a commercial bus driver and an elderly man."

In response, the APC, through its June 12 message, signed by Remi Omowaiye, the Head of Media and Publicity for the Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council, accused Adeleke of not meeting his promises to the people.

Bola Oyebamiji, the APC governorship candidate, claimed that infrastructure, health, and education facilities in the state are in poor condition. He promised to fix these issues if he is elected governor.

The spokesperson for The Imole Campaign Council countered this by stating that APC supporters and thugs have been involved in violent acts, including vandalizing political billboards in areas such as Irewole, Ayedaade, Irepodun, and Osogbo.

"Earlier, on June 3, 2026, Hon. Asimiyu Ajibola, Chairman of the Accord Party in Osogbo LGA, was reportedly shot multiple times by armed assailants linked to the APC. He remains hospitalized. Several Accord Party members have been injured and killed by alleged APC political thugs, reportedly for wearing caps and vests that identify them with the party."

"Barely two hours to Democracy Day, an APC-affiliated thug, along with others, allegedly attacked an Accord Party member in Iroye community, Ilesa. The assailants used cutlasses, sticks, an axe, and a gun, leaving the victim badly injured."

"The painful memories of political violence and the loss of innocent lives in Osun State should serve as a lesson to all political actors that elections must never be treated as warfare. Politics should be about service to the people and not a contest of intimidation."

"On a day set aside to celebrate democracy, the Osun APC must reflect deeply on its conduct and its continued inability to accept political realities. Democracy requires humility. It requires political actors to understand that no office belongs to anyone forever and that the people reserve the right to renew or withdraw their mandate," the statement continued.

The spokesperson challenged the Osun APC to show their record, vision, and submit themselves to the electorate's judgment before seeking power again.

Oyebamiji, however, claimed that despite increased state allocations since Adeleke took office, the governor has failed to deliver on many promises made to the people during the campaign.

"One of the grand promises made by Governor Adeleke was to transform Osogbo into a new Dubai and a mini London. However, the reality confronting residents today is far removed from that promise."

Oyebamiji added, "The facilities and infrastructure available in the state capital do not reflect the enormous resources that have accrued to the state government."

He further claimed that the health sector in Osun is in bad shape, stating that health facilities lack medical supplies. This, he argued, has hurt public confidence in Osun's health service delivery.

He accused Adeleke of sacking teachers and health workers employed by the previous APC government without replacing them.

"Osun now has the lowest number of teachers in the Southwest region, and the state is rated as the second worst in the country for abandoned health centers. These ratings are unacceptable. We must stem the tide before it is too late," he said.

Oyebamiji also questioned the current administration's approach to infrastructure delivery. He argued that a government truly committed to building a modern state would focus on competence, technical ability, and value for money in public contracts.