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Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun, says he is not intimidated by the backing of the federal government and some state governors for Munirudeen Oyebamiji, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, ahead of Saturday’s election.
Adeleke, governorship candidate of the Accord Party, said the support would not determine the outcome of the poll, insisting that he was prepared to face his opponents and whatever political influence they could muster.
He spoke on Tuesday during an Arise News town hall meeting in Osogbo featuring the leading candidates in the election.
Responding to questions about the presence of governors campaigning for the APC candidate, Adeleke described himself as a “bulldozer” and said he was unfazed by what he called federal might.
“I am a bulldozer. I am not afraid of federal might and governors backing the APC candidate. If they like, they should bring all the governors,” he said.
The governor said he maintained cordial relationships with some of the governors supporting Oyebamiji, adding that their presence in Osun would not translate into votes for his opponent.
“Those governors are my friends. I am a civilised administrator. They won’t vote; they can only come and dance, and after the election, we will meet,” he said.
Adeleke also dismissed allegations that his administration had militarised the state, saying he lacked the authority to deploy the armed forces.
“I did not militarise Osun. I have no such capacity. I am not the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces,” he said.
The town hall featured Adeleke, Oyebamiji and Najeem Salaam, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, who outlined their positions on key issues ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
