APC accuses Adeleke of oath-taking, vote-buying ahead of Osun poll

By Johnson Arua

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of allegedly being involved in oath-taking and vote-buying activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The APC Governorship Campaign Council alleged that members of the Accord Party had been administering oaths to residents and allegedly giving them money to secure their support for Adeleke in the election.

Chairman of the APC Media Committee, Remi Omowaye, made the allegation in a statement on Friday, saying the party had obtained video evidence purportedly showing Accord Party members distributing money to residents after administering oaths of allegiance.

Omowaye described the alleged development as dangerous and capable of undermining the democratic process, saying vote-buying and coercion had no place in a credible election.

He said the alleged practice was “not only dastardly and crude but also morally reprehensible,” adding that it represented “a dangerous descent into political desperation” and an affront to citizens’ right to vote according to their conscience.

The APC campaign council further claimed that the alleged activities were an indication that Adeleke was concerned about his chances of retaining the governorship, arguing that campaigns should be based on achievements, policies and programmes rather than coercion or inducement.

However, the Imole Campaign Council Media Committee Chairman, Bamidele Salam, dismissed the allegations, insisting that Adeleke neither authorised nor participated in any oath-taking exercise linked to the election.

Salam said the council was investigating the authenticity, source and circumstances surrounding the videos cited by the APC, stressing that the governor had neither directed nor endorsed any such activity.

He described Adeleke as a democrat who respected the freedom of citizens to make political choices according to their conscience, adding that the governor’s campaign was anchored on his administration’s achievements, vision and the confidence of the electorate.

“Governor Adeleke does not need oaths, threats, intimidation or any form of coercion to secure the support of the people of Osun State,” Salam added.