The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State has rejected allegations made by Governor Ademola Adeleke that he and members of the Accord are facing political persecution ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The Osun APC described the claims as unfounded, but Governor Adeleke has insisted that violence and intimidation are targeted at his supporters.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Osogbo on Monday, Governor Adeleke appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the state’s security situation.
He alleged that “seven Accord members have been killed in the past three months and more than 20 others had sustained gunshot injuries, and over 60 party members remained in police custody.”
The governor alleged that “some police personnel were collaborating with political opponents to intimidate Accord members. We call on the President to ensure a free, fair and credible governorship election in Osun State.”
Adeleke also appealed to the President to call the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and Senator Francis Fadahunsi to order, alleging that attacks on his supporters were damaging democratic processes in the state.
According to the governor, “My people are being killed every day. We will not accept any rigging. We will go out en masse and defend our votes,” while urging the President to act as a father of the nation by ensuring peace before, during and after the election.
Also speaking at the rally, Director-General of the Imole Campaign, Senator Lere Oyewumi, alleged that the police had begun arresting Accord leaders ahead of the election, while Deputy Director-General Kolapo Alimi claimed several party leaders were arrested and their properties vandalised during recent operations.
However, in a statement issued on Tuesday, the Osun APC, through its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, dismissed the governor’s allegations as “misplaced” and “frivolous”, accusing Adeleke of attempting to blame President Tinubu and Oyetola for his political challenges.
The opposition party stated, “Your allegations of political victimisation against Tinubu and Oyetola are misplaced and frivolous. The governor’s comments were intended to justify what it described as his expected defeat in the forthcoming election.”
The APC also rejected allegations of political persecution, maintaining that Governor Adeleke had failed to provide evidence to support his claims while accusing his administration of encouraging political violence and granting undue concessions to individuals it described as political thugs.
The party argued that “if the governor believed his administration had performed well, the electorate would determine that claim through the ballot on August 15. The election should be conducted in a free, fair, credible and inclusive atmosphere.”
The APC dismissed Adeleke’s allegations concerning the withholding of state funds and his criticism of former Governor Oyetola, describing the claims as lacking substance.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Monday, pleaded with Nigerians to elect President Bola Tinubu for a second term.
Shettima assured Nigerians that the All Progressives Congress, APC, is the best friend they can ever have with Tinubu in office.
The Vice President spoke during the APC's presidential campaign rally in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
He also called on the people of the state to vote for Governor Bassey Otu and the party's candidates for the national and state assemblies.
Shettima said: "To the people of Cross rivers State, we have come to you again, we have come as the most trustworthy friends that you can ever have, these are not empty words. Over the past three years, you have shown us support and have resisted the lies and propaganda intended to misrepresent us, this is why we are here.
"We don't take this strong will for granted and so I bring you warm greetings from his Excellency, President Bola Tinubu. Good people of Cross Rivers State, what has brought us together is an alliance of progress, prosperity, opportunity, dignity, and this is the reason that we come before you with gratitude and conviction that must govern every decision that we take.
"You the people are the focus, and we are here today to seek renewed mandate for Tinubu as President of Nigeria, Governor Otu and members of the National Assembly and the Cross Rivers Assembly. We seek this opportunity to carry their workings to second terms, we are asking because authority belongs to the people, we are asking because those entrusted with authority must return with their account of stewardship and a programme worthy of trust, this is why we are here today.
"I stand before you today to ask you once again to renew the mandate of his Excellency, Tinubu as President of Nigeria and myself as Vice President and another term for Bassey Otu as Governor of Cross River State. Vote APC from top to bottom."
The inauguration, held on Monday, November 2, 2026, at the Government House, Rayfield, Jos, brought together party leaders, political stakeholders and campaign coordinators to begin mobilisation for the re-election of Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, as well as Governor Mutfwang, Deputy Governor Ngo Josephine Piyo and APC candidates contesting National and State Assembly seats in Plateau State.
Speaking at the event, Mutfwang expressed appreciation to the people of Plateau for their support, acknowledging that although his administration had recorded progress in key sectors, significant challenges remained.
He argued that his government deserved another term to consolidate ongoing projects and programmes, describing development as a continuous process that requires consistency.
“There is no government that ends everything. Every government is a relay. Our duty is not to make others look bad; it is to see how we can collectively make Plateau State look better,” he said.
On security, the Governor acknowledged persistent challenges but assured residents that his administration was pursuing sustained measures to protect lives and property.
He disclosed that plans were underway to facilitate the safe return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their communities, while announcing that another batch of retrained Operation Rainbow personnel would soon be commissioned alongside the deployment of at least 800 trained forest guards to vulnerable communities.
Mutfwang urged residents to remain patient and support government efforts towards restoring peace across the state.
Addressing the economic situation, the Governor defended the economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, noting that the country needed time to overcome longstanding fiscal and structural challenges.
He also highlighted interventions by his administration to ease the impact of economic hardship, including the introduction of Tin City Metro buses, revival of rail services within the metropolis, a 50 per cent reduction in tuition fees in state-owned tertiary institutions and a 300 per cent increase in student allowances.
He further acknowledged the benefits of the Federal Government’s student loan and scholarship programmes in supporting Plateau students in tertiary institutions.
On party unity and mobilisation, Mutfwang urged APC candidates and stakeholders to put aside political differences, embrace humility and work collectively towards the party’s success.
He stressed that electoral victories were determined at the grassroots, urging campaign council members to return to their respective wards, constituencies and local government areas to mobilise voters.
“The votes are in the polling unit. They are not in Jos. Everybody can only matter in the locality where you come from,” he stated.
The Governor also charged members to conduct campaigns with respect for political opponents, insisting that the party’s message should be communicated through constructive engagement, honesty and clear presentation of government policies and achievements.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Mutfwang/Piyo 2027 Governorship Campaign Council, Sir Joseph N. Ari, KSM, KSS, OON, expressed appreciation to the Governor for the confidence reposed in him and other members of the council.
Ari pledged that the campaign would be driven by discipline, teamwork, effective coordination and responsibility, assuring that the council would adopt an issue-based approach devoid of bitterness and political acrimony.
He commended the Governor’s “Time Is Now” policy direction, particularly its emphasis on unity, mutual respect and development, describing peaceful coexistence as essential to the state’s progress.
The campaign DG disclosed that the council had received expressions of support from 115 support groups, in addition to solidarity visits and assurances from traditional rulers, religious leaders, women, youths and other organised groups.
He, however, emphasised the need for collective participation and strategic engagement with communities across the state to achieve the party’s objectives.
Ari also called on party supporters and residents to turn out en masse on November 14, 2026, to welcome President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and other national party leaders during their scheduled visit to Plateau State.
In his remarks, the Plateau State APC Chairman, Hon. Rufus Bature, described the inauguration as a significant step towards building a coordinated political structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
Bature emphasised the importance of grassroots mobilisation, loyalty, effective communication and accountability, noting that the party’s electoral success would depend largely on the strength of its structures across polling units.
He charged members of the campaign council to remain committed to their responsibilities and avoid complacency, adding that the party remained open to accommodating more stakeholders as preparations for the elections progressed.