By Goddy Ikeh
Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun has been tipped by some political analysts to win the Aug. 15 governorship election, amid heightened political activities and security concerns ahead of the poll.
The election has been preceded by allegations of political violence, arrests, federal interference and disagreements among major political blocs, including reported attacks on supporters of opposition parties.
The Nigeria Police, however, said it would deploy 15,000 personnel across the state to ensure a peaceful, free, fair and credible election.
The police said Commissioners of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, Police Mobile Force operatives and other specialised units would participate in the deployment.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of the election, Samuel EraleEtaifo, said the police would remain neutral, professional and committed to providing a conducive environment for the poll.
He said the Inspector-General of Police had mandated him to restore peace, build public confidence and coordinate security arrangements ahead of the election.
EralEtaaifo said the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, would protect INEC officials, election materials, voters and other stakeholders throughout the electoral process.
The three leading candidates — Adeleke of the Accord Party, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, — have also presented their records and programmes to voters.
They spoke during a town hall meeting organised by Arise News in collaboration with the editorial board of Tribune Newspaper and the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation in Osogbo.
Adeleke defended his three-and-a-half-year administration, saying his government had transformed infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and security across the state.
He said his administration had constructed about 350 kilometres of roads, with another 150 kilometres under construction, including roads abandoned for decades.
The governor also said his administration had installed solar-powered street lights across the state to enhance economic activities and improve the appearance of major towns.
On education, Adeleke said Osun had improved from a poor position in national examination rankings to seventh in the country.
He said his administration had purchased 31 tractors and provided seedlings and other inputs to farmers as part of efforts to boost agricultural production.
The governor also said about 200 healthcare centres had been rehabilitated, with boreholes, solar lights, beds and other facilities provided.
On security, Adeleke said more than 1,500 Amotekun personnel had been recruited and trained to protect lives and property.
He rejected allegations that his administration was responsible for the militarisation of the state, saying he lacked the constitutional authority to deploy federal security agencies.
Adeleke also urged his supporters to avoid violence and remain committed to a peaceful election.
Expressing confidence in his chances, he said his achievements would speak for him at the poll.
Oyebamiji, the APC candidate, said his administration would prioritise agriculture, education, healthcare and human capital development.
The former Commissioner for Finance said his experience in banking, investment management and public finance would enable him attract investments and expand Osun’s economic base.
He promised to improve healthcare infrastructure, noting that the state lacked key diagnostic equipment, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging, MRI,.
Oyebamiji also cited an estimated shortage of 28,000 teachers in the state, saying education would be a major priority under his administration.
He pledged to improve workers’ welfare through better remuneration, training and human capital development.
The APC candidate said he would run an accountable and transparent government anchored on established institutions and rules.
On his part, Salaam of the ADC promised to prioritise job creation, electricity, education, healthcare and social welfare.
He pledged to create 20,000 jobs within his first 100 days in office and provide N1 billion support for women’s empowerment.
Salaam also promised to develop a state-level electricity system under the provisions of the Electricity Act to improve power supply across Osun.
He pledged free primary and secondary education, while promising to review tuition fees in tertiary institutions.
The ADC candidate further promised free healthcare for children and pregnant women, as well as support for elderly citizens and widows.
He said his administration would revive social intervention programmes such as O’YES, O’MEALS, O’REAP and O-AMBULANCE.
Salaam also promised to support farmers with necessary tools and infrastructure while encouraging farm settlements and improved access to markets.
Meanwhile, the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, has urged all stakeholders to ensure a free, fair, transparent, credible and peaceful election.
IPAC National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, made the call at a news conference in Abuja after the council’s general assembly meeting on the Osun election.
Dantalle urged political parties and candidates to reject violence, intimidation, harassment and inflammatory statements.
He said the election should be a contest of ideas, policies, programmes and popularity, with the freely expressed will of Osun residents determining the outcome.
He also called on security agencies to remain professional and impartial and operate within their constitutional mandates.
Dantalle urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure timely distribution of election materials, accurate collation and transparent conduct of the poll.
He condemned vote buying and voter inducement, urging candidates to compete through their programmes, policies, records and development plans.
The IPAC chairman also appealed to voters to remain peaceful, protect their Permanent Voter Cards and vote according to their conscience.
As the election draws closer, some political analysts have identified Adeleke as the candidate to beat, citing his administration’s infrastructure projects and other achievements.
They also pointed to the political alignment between the Accord Party and President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election as a factor that could influence the political calculations surrounding the poll.
The Aug. 15 election is therefore expected to be a major test of the candidates’ records, campaign promises and ability to mobilise voters in a peaceful democratic contest.
M.P
