The Osun State All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council has accused the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke of plotting to procure weapons for political thugs ahead of the August 15 governorship election, an allegation the governor has strongly denied.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Head of Media and Publicity Committee of the Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council, Engr. Oluremi Omowaiye, the party alleged that intelligence available to it indicated plans to procure arms and ammunition worth about N2 billion for use during the forthcoming governorship poll.
The APC further alleged that about N500 million had already been released as part of the funds earmarked for the purported procurement and claimed that the weapons were to be distributed under the guise of the Osun Amotekun Corps.
The opposition party called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the allegations.
The APC also linked the alleged plot to Governor Adeleke, his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, and the Corps Commander of the Osun Amotekun Corps, Mr Adekunle Omoyele, while expressing concern that such a development could threaten the credibility and security of the forthcoming election.
According to the party, democracy should be driven by performance and popular support rather than violence or intimidation, urging the governor to seek re-election based on his administration’s record.
However, Governor Adeleke dismissed the allegations, describing them as false, unfounded and an attempt to divert attention from what he termed violent activities allegedly perpetrated by members of the APC.
In a counter-statement issued on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the governor denied any involvement in plans to procure weapons for political thugs and maintained that his administration operates within the confines of the law.
The governor also cleared his Chief of Staff, the Amotekun commander and other government officials mentioned in the APC statement, insisting that none of them was involved in any illegal arms procurement.
Adeleke further accused the APC of sponsoring violence in the state, alleging that members of the opposition had been linked to attacks on Accord Party supporters and the destruction of campaign materials.
The governor’s spokesman challenged the APC to provide evidence supporting its claims and urged security agencies and the Presidency to disregard what he described as false allegations.
He maintained that Governor Adeleke remains committed to peaceful conduct ahead of the governorship election and expressed confidence that the governor would secure re-election through popular support.
The exchange comes as political activities intensify in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with both camps trading accusations over security and campaign conduct.