Osun State Governor and Accord Party governorship candidate, Ademola Adeleke, says he is not intimidated by the support of the Federal Government and some state governors for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Munirudeen Oyebamiji.
Adeleke said the political backing for his major opponent would not determine the outcome of the August 15 governorship election, insisting that the electorate would ultimately decide who wins.
The governor spoke on Tuesday during an Arise News town hall meeting in Osogbo attended by leading candidates in the election.
Reacting to the campaign activities of governors supporting Oyebamiji, Adeleke described himself as a “bulldozer” and said he was prepared to confront the political influence being mobilised against him.
“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.
Adeleke said he maintains cordial relationships with some of the governors campaigning for his opponent, arguing that their presence in Osun would not translate into votes.
“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.
The governor also rejected allegations that his administration had militarised the state, saying he did not have the constitutional 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,” Adeleke said.
The town hall featured Adeleke, Oyebamiji and African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Najeem Salaam, who presented their positions on key issues ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The election is scheduled for August 15, with the candidates seeking to win the mandate of Osun voters for another four-year term.
