Press Release
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has slammed the unacceptable attitude of some APC governors, accusing them of failing to uphold civility and respect in their conduct, particularly when visiting states controlled by governors of other political parties.
Adeleke spoke Tuesday, August 11, 2026, in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, during the Osun State Governorship Town Hall, organised by ARISE News TV for all the governorship candidates. Each candidate is given one hour to present his views and answer questions from the audience after questions from the panel led by veteran journalist Reuben Abati.
He singled out Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, accusing him of failing to pay him a formal visit when he came to Osun State to campaign for the APC governorship candidate.
The Osun governor said the established practice in a democracy is for a visiting governor to pay his respects to the governor of the host state, regardless of political affiliation or the purpose of the visit.
He said the convention applies even when the visiting governor is campaigning for a candidate from an opposing party.
Recalling his own visit to Ondo State to campaign for his party’s candidate, Adeleke said he first paid his respects to the governor because political contests should not destroy the basic relationship and mutual respect expected between public office holders.
“I told him that I came to campaign for my candidate, but I came to give respect to the governor of the host state, no matter what. Election should not create division or enmity. That is civility. They are not civilised,” Adeleke said.
Adeleke stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently called him over the problems he was having with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, assuring him that he was not behind the matter.
Discussing criticism of his dancing, Adeleke said dancing was his hobby and insisted that it did not diminish his seriousness, responsibility or devotion to his duties as governor.
“It is because I can dance that they are using it to criticise me. If they want to see someone dance or if they want me to teach them how to dance, I am ready to teach them how to dance. It does not take away my responsibility and devotion to my work,” he said.
On his administration’s record, Adeleke said it had undertaken seven federal road projects, but the money spent had not, according to him, been refunded by the Federal Government, saying this had led his administration to concentrate on internal roads and other infrastructure within the state.
The governor also said he ignored the destruction of his billboards, banners and posters, insisting that such acts meant nothing to him.
He maintained that his popularity and the support of the citizens were more important and expressed confidence that the people would judge his administration by its performance at the polls.
Discussing the security situation in the state and the presence of heavily armed soldiers and police officers across Osun ahead of Saturday’s election, Adeleke said he was not the Commander-in-Chief and had no control over their deployment.
He described the situation as politically motivated and appealed to the security agencies, the Chief of Army Staff and the Minister of Defence to ensure that security personnel did not interfere with the election or prevent voters from coming out to cast their ballots.
“Everyone is afraid. I appeal to the security agencies, the Chief of Army Staff and the Minister of Defence to ensure that the soldiers and police do not interfere in the election on Saturday or hamper voters from coming out to vote,” Adeleke said.
Ooni of Ife invokes Supreme being for Adeleke’s success
Meanwhile, the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, today, at the source of Yoruba race went spiritual and invoked the deities and the supreme being in a marathon traditional invocations and incantations for successes of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
In his reception hall, packed with traditional rulers, top chiefs and high flight indigenes, the globally revered monarch in his traditional regalia rained invocations of mercy, grace, victory and survival on Governor Adeleke, leading to choruses of amen filling the hall.
For several minutes, the eminent father of Yourba race put up the priestly garb alongside his royal stool, calling on divine blessings and successful outcome for a governor whom he praised for transforming Ile Ife.
The monarch praised the governor for bequeathing on Ile If, the first flyover bridge and a dualised road leading to the palace, in addition to several other completed projects in the ancient town.
“I thank the governor for this road, this bridge we have never seen before. The governor surprised us.
The governor uplifted Ile Ife. I am not a politician but we must appreciate any public official who performed well.
“I am a father of all. A father has many children -the smart and the otherwise. This governor is a good son. We have all seen his good job”, the Monarch told mammoth crowd at the Lagere Flyover before the commissioning of the bridge.
Recalling that there were initial doubts about the completion of the projects, the royal father who commissioned both the flyovers and the dualised road leading to the palace said Ile Ife is appreciative of the governor’s love and commitment to the development of Ile Ife and Osun state as a whole.
The royal father of Modakeke, while also praying for the success of the governor said Modakeke has never witnessed this type of attention from any government, submitting that all the requests presented to the governor by Modakeke stakeholders were fulfilled by the governor.
“We want more of you, Mr Governor. We want you to continue in office. Our people are ready to further show support for you. By God’s grace, we will not see Amubo in Osun state”, the royal father declared.
Governor Adeleke at both the Ooni and Modakeke’ palaces reaffirmed his commitment to the continuous development of Osun state, asking Osun people never to return Osun to the dark era.
“Our royal father, your commendation will push me to do more Osun people will see more deliveries. Our passion for good governance will increase. We will continue to retain the confidence of Osun people through good performance.
“There are many reasons why the opposition are growing desperate. I have the numbers to win. I have the backing of mass of our people. Dont fight them. Use your vote to speak.
Osun people have decided they need four more years of our good governance. Dont fight them. But be vigilant. Monitor the distribution of materials. Follow the voting results to the collation centres.
“Sacrifice these two or three days to be like civilian vigilante. The victory is ours as we have the people and God. By next week, we shall be celebrating a victory granted by God and Osun people”, the governor declared.
