Oyebamiji, Adeleke campaign councils disagree over deregistration judgment

The Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council has said the judgement of the Federal High Court Abuja, which derecognised the Accord Party, has ended the plan by the state governor, Ademola Adeleke, to seek re-election in the forthcoming governorship poll in the state.

In a statement signed by the Head, Media and Publicity Committee of the Campaign Council, Remi Omowaiye, obtained on Tuesday, the APC said it has profound respect for the authority of the court and acknowledged the implications of the judgment on Adeleke’s political future since he is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party.

In a swift reaction, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the spokesman for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election campaign council, said that attempts by the APC to distract Adeleke from seeking re-election in the August 15 poll have failed.

Olajengbesi said Adeleke, the Accord Party candidate, remains focused and undeterred by “political theatrics” and “manufactured controversies” in the state ahead of the poll.

“All attempts by the Osun APC to frustrate, undermine, or prevent the successful flag off of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election campaign have failed,” Olajengbesi said.

But Omowaiye, who said that until the decision of the Federal High Court is set aside by a competent appellate court, Adeleke will not be contesting the governorship election on the platform of the Accord, a development which he said will also impact other nominations, state and national assembly, in the party.

“Beyond the judgment delivered yesterday, we are aware that there remain pending litigations concerning the leadership tussle within the Accord Party at the national level. The governor’s absence from the ballot would deny the people of Osun State the opportunity to directly express their anger, disappointment and frustration over what has been widely perceived as four years of cluelessness, incompetence and administrative clumsiness.

“Even if Governor Adeleke escapes the verdict of the electorate because he is disqualified from the race, he cannot escape the long arm of justice and the inevitable demand for accountability.

“As events continue to unfold, we urge the people of Osun State to remain peaceful, vigilant and committed to democratic principles as the state moves steadily towards the August 15 governorship election,” Omowaiye said.

But reacting further, Olajengbesi said the opposition APC in Osun was terrified of Adeleke, his popularity among the people, and his impressive record of performance.

“The depletion of the Osun APC, following the defection of men and women of quality, influence, and political sagacity to the Accord Party, has once again confirmed what is already obvious across Osun State.

“Governor Ademola Adeleke remains the choice of the majority of the people, and no amount of political desperation can alter that reality. As Governor Ademola Adeleke kicks off his re-election campaign, the Osun APC appears restless and disoriented.

“Lacking credible ideas, programme, or a superior record, the opposition has spent weeks chasing controversies in a desperate bid for relevance. Every attempt to distract from the flag-off has failed — Osun people remain focused on issues that truly matter to their lives,” he stated.

He said the APC was confronting a governor whose administration has earned the trust and confidence of the people through performance in healthcare, education, economy, workers’ welfare, infrastructure upgrade, and general people-centred governance.

“The forthcoming election belongs to the people, and it is their votes that will determine the future of the state, not propaganda, intimidation, manufactured controversies, or political distractions,” he added.