Osun 2026: Only Rigging Can Stop My Re-Election — Adeleke Warns Tinubu

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has declared that only electoral manipulation can prevent his re-election in the August 15 governorship poll, while issuing a direct appeal to President Bola Tinubu to intervene against alleged political violence, police intimidation, and threats to the integrity of the electoral process.

Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party expressed confidence in securing victory if the election is conducted in a free and fair manner, stating during his re-election campaign in Osogbo on Monday, “With God on my side, I am confident of victory. If this election is free and fair, I will win.” The governor’s confidence comes as Osun State prepares for the crucial governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026, with 14 political parties fielding candidates according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Adeleke specifically appealed to President Bola Tinubu to direct security agencies to act professionally and impartially during the election, warning that any attempt to rig the poll could trigger political violence reminiscent of the 1983 crisis. “Mr President, something is happening in Osun that you need to know. Our people are being killed and, as our father, we are appealing to you. We will not accept any attempt to rig this election. Do not allow innocent people to be killed,” Adeleke said. The governor, who serves as the Chief Security Officer of Osun State, also referenced the 1993 political crisis, urging the President not to allow history to repeat itself. “Mr President, I want you to take note of my words. I am the Chief Security officer of Osun, you are a Yoruba man and Osun is Yorubaland, yet, your party chieftains are perpetrating political violence while you look the other way,” Adeleke stated at a rally in Orita-Sabo, Olorunda local government. He further warned: “Mr President, all we demand for is a free and fair election. If anybody tries to do otherwise, the political crisis of 1983, when some people tried to rig Michael Ajasin in Ondo State out of power, may repeat itself again.”

Adeleke claimed that seven Accord Party members had been killed in the last three months, while more than 20 others sustained gunshot injuries and over 60 remained in what he described as illegal police detention. He accused some APC members of invoking President Tinubu’s name while carrying out acts of violence against residents. “The shedding of blood of the innocents should stop. Osun APC members are dropping Mr President’s name to kill and maim Osun people. The name of Mr President is being dragged in the mud,” he said. The governor also accused the police of being compromised, alleging that officers were escorting political thugs to attack and kill innocent citizens. “The police have been compromised, let them go and confront kidnappers,” the governor said.

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The governor questioned why, despite his party’s public endorsement of Tinubu’s re-election bid, his supporters were allegedly facing intimidation and violence. “Mr President, I am passing this message directly to you. We have publicly endorsed you for the 2027 presidential election. What more do you want from us? Why then are our people being killed?” Adeleke asked. He further alleged that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, was responsible for what he described as the crisis within the APC in Osun State and should be called to order. “Mr President, you fought for democracy; do not allow your brother to undermine it,” Adeleke said, adding that Oyetola “is no longer the governor of this state.”

Adeleke reminded the President that the international community is watching the Osun election, describing it as a test ahead of the 2027 general elections. “The international community is watching, and this election will be seen as a test ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he said. The Accord Party has also called on the African Union, United Nations, European Union, United States, and British governments to intervene in the security situation in the state ahead of the election. The party alleged a pattern of political violence, arrests, and intimidation capable of undermining the poll, claiming that as of midnight of July 29, 2026, there were still 61 Accord members in police captivity without any warrant of arrest.

Adeleke urged his supporters to come out in large numbers on election day and protect their votes until results are declared. “I urge all our supporters to come out on Aug. 15 and vote for me. Stand by your votes until the results are declared. I am ready for this election, and on election day, our revolution will be through the ballot box,” he said. Addressing supporters at a church service in Osogbo, the governor urged residents not to be intimidated. “Because the people have rejected them, because voters have endorsed me, because defeat stared them in the face, they resorted to violence. We are not scared. Osun people are not afraid,” Adeleke said. “August 15, Osun people will show agents of violence that we are not cowards. Our people’s safety is guaranteed. Come out and vote. Punish those killing and maiming our people by voting against them on August 15th,” he added.

The Adeleke Campaign Organisation has also petitioned the National Human Rights Commission, accusing the Nigeria Police Force of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and human rights violations ahead of the governorship election. The campaign’s spokesman, Pelumi Olajengbesi, called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to publicly reassure Nigerians that the Force would remain neutral throughout the electoral process. “We want the Inspector-General of Police to assure Nigerians and the people of Osun State that the election will be credible and that the police still have the capacity to provide security for the safety of lives and property before, during, and after the election,” Olajengbesi said.

Beyond his warnings against electoral fraud, Adeleke has also been campaigning on his record of infrastructural development, promising to deliver more if re-elected. During campaign tours in Erin-Osun and Ilobu, the governor said his administration had fulfilled promises made during the 2022 election campaign and that greater achievements lay ahead. “I appreciate your support. When we came here in 2022, I promised you good governance, and I have fulfilled what I promised. But the people have not seen anything yet. We will do much more for Osun State,” Adeleke said. The governor has received endorsements from traditional rulers across the state, with the Elerin of Erin-Osun and the Olobu of Ilobu both assuring Adeleke of their support and prayers for his re-election.

Osun 2026: Only Rigging Can Stop My Re-Election — Adeleke Warns Tinubu

PDP Crisis: Wike Faction Demands Arrest of Turaki Group Over Forgery Allegations

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has demanded the immediate arrest of members of the rival Kabiru Turaki-led faction for what it describes as “criminal deception,” impersonation, and forgery of court judgments.

The call was made on Monday by PDP State Chairmen loyal to the Wike camp, addressing a media conference at the PDP Abuja national secretariat. The factional state chairmen, led by Austin Nwachukwu, cited the rival camp’s submission of the name of former President Goodluck Jonathan to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election as a key act of deception. Nwachukwu insisted that the Turaki group had been expelled from the PDP and therefore has no legitimate claim to party membership, calling their actions a “threat to public order.” “We stand before you today not out of bitterness, but out of duty as commanders of our various states, to defend the integrity of the PDP, to protect the rule of law, and to preserve the peace and stability of our party and our democracy,” Nwachukwu said.

The conflict is underpinned by a series of court rulings, the most recent being a Federal High Court judgment delivered on March 29, 2026. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik barred the Turaki-led faction from accessing the PDP’s national secretariat at Wadata Plaza in Abuja. The judge declared the November 2025 Ibadan convention that produced the Turaki leadership a nullity, as it was conducted in defiance of subsisting court orders. “The purported convention, including the election of officers and suspension of members, is unconstitutional, null and void,” Justice Abdulmalik held. The court also directed the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services to provide protection for the Wike-backed faction to access and operate from the party’s national headquarters. Additionally, the court restrained INEC from accepting any address for the party other than the one already recognized in its records.

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Nwachukwu accused the Turaki group of “criminal and malicious forgery and distortion of court judgments,” alleging they are misrepresenting judicial pronouncements to deceive the public. He called on security agencies to investigate the group’s activities, describing their actions as a “clear and present danger to public order.” According to Nwachukwu, “Their utter disrespect for the rule of law, their breach of peace, and reckless utterances pose a clear and present danger to public order. Nigeria is a nation of laws, not of propaganda.” He insisted that there is only one legally recognized PDP leadership, headed by Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed as National Chairman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary. The faction also appealed to former President Jonathan to publicly distance himself from the Turaki group, alleging that his name was being invoked to lend legitimacy to “unlawful” actions. “We call on you, in view of the global image and moral authority you command, to address Nigerians directly and disassociate yourself from the continuous use of your name in this spectacle,” Nwachukwu said. In a separate appeal, Nwachukwu called on FCT Minister Wike to investigate a building in Abuja being used by the Turaki group, claiming their activities could undermine peace and security in the capital.

The Turaki-led faction has dismissed the allegations and insisted on its legitimacy, arguing that its actions are based on legal interpretations of existing court judgments. The group’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, stated that the issue is not a security matter but a legal one, and they are exhausting all constitutional and legal avenues. “Our reaction is simple: it shows the level of ignorance of the law upon which they operate. This issue is not a matter for security; it is a legal matter where the judgment of court is involved, and we acted in accordance with the judgments, PDP Constitution, and Nigerian laws,” Ememobong said. The faction maintained that it manually submitted its candidates’ list, including former President Jonathan, to INEC after the commission refused to provide access codes for electronic submission. The group filed an appeal against the Federal High Court judgment, expressing confidence that the Court of Appeal would reaffirm earlier decisions of the higher courts.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has rejected the presidential nomination of former President Goodluck Jonathan submitted by the Turaki faction, insisting that nominations can only be processed through its designated online portal in line with electoral regulations. INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, stated that the commission does not recognise manual submission of candidates. “Submission is only done on a dedicated portal as stipulated by our regulations and guidelines please,” she said. Despite INEC’s stance, the faction insisted it acted within the provisions of the Electoral Act and accused the commission of creating obstacles for its leadership. Ememobong claimed that the documents were received and acknowledged by officials of the commission despite the disagreement over the recognition of the faction.

In his monthly media chat, Wike reiterated that the Turaki group is deceiving aspirants by collecting money from them despite lacking authority to field candidates for elections. He revealed that INEC had granted the recognized PDP leadership the access code required to upload candidates to its portal. “When this thing started and I told the press that this thing that Turaki is doing, he has collected money from people, but it will backfire. Why will it backfire? Now, INEC has given access codes to political parties as recognised. Have they given him an access code? So which candidates will he sell forms to? They have given us an access code, and we are uploading our candidates but you are not uploading your own candidates,” Wike said. Wike also dismissed claims that the PDP was divided into factions, arguing that disagreement within a political party does not amount to a parallel leadership. He challenged the Turaki group to open an official PDP account and secretariat, vowing to seal any such illegal office. “If they are sure they are the authentic leadership of the PDP, let them open an official PDP account and tell party members to pay nomination fees into it. Let Turaki open an account for the PDP. Let them announce it publicly. That day, you will see what will happen. He will lose his silk (SAN title),” Wike said.

PDP Crisis: Wike Faction Demands Arrest of Turaki Group Over Forgery Allegations

Power Struggle Threatens Peter Obi-Kwankwaso Alliance Ahead of 2027 Polls

Internal power struggle threatens opposition coalition as rival groups claim authority over movement’s leadership

The OK Movement, a political support platform established to mobilise backing for the joint ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, is engulfed in a deepening leadership crisis that threatens to derail opposition unity ahead of the 2027 Nigerian presidential election. The power tussle erupted into public view following a controversial appointment that exposed bitter rivalries, competing claims to authority, and fundamental disagreements over the movement’s strategic direction and funding model.

The conflict escalated when Jackie Wayas, who identified herself as the National Convener of the movement, announced the appointment of former Inter-Party Advisory Council Chairman Peter Ameh as the movement’s National Director-General. In a statement, Wayas claimed the decision followed a meeting of the movement’s steering committee and that Ameh’s appointment was unanimously approved due to his political experience and commitment to the movement’s ideals. However, within hours of the announcement, controversy erupted as several members questioned Wayas’ authority to describe herself as the national convener. Multiple attempts by The PUNCH to obtain clarification from Wayas on when and how she assumed the position were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unreturned.

The controversy quickly exposed a wider leadership dispute within the movement, with rival factions staking competing claims to authority. Justin Ijeh, the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the movement, acknowledged the internal disagreements but insisted they should be resolved behind closed doors rather than through media platforms. In his comments to The PUNCH, Ijeh explained that there was a reason he had not spoken up on the issue, as he believed some things should be resolved behind the scenes. He emphasised that the primary target was to achieve their aim at the polls and that while it was acceptable to have differences, allowing them to come out into the public space was a significant concern. Ijeh revealed he had stepped aside as spokesman pending resolution of the dispute, noting the difficulty of functioning when “two persons declared themselves DG of an organisation.”

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However, the movement’s Director-General, John Ughulu, dismissed Ijeh as a “sacked official” and accused the rival faction of attempting to hijack the organisation. Ughulu maintained that Ijeh had been relieved of his position long ago and belonged to the other group, stating that he had relieved all of them of their responsibility to allow the movement to move forward. He maintained that Ijeh no longer had authority to speak for the organisation and accused him of partisanship and undermining the movement’s objectives.

Ughulu provided deeper insight into the origins of the conflict, revealing fundamental disagreements over the movement’s funding model. He traced his fallout with Jackie Wayas to a dispute over financial management, claiming she opposed his insistence on raising funds through small public contributions rather than from questionable sources. Ughulu explained that people were bringing in illegal money, and he insisted that would not happen because one could not verify where such money was coming from. He suggested they raise funds from the streets by encouraging Nigerians to contribute N1,000 or N500 to take care of posters, T-shirts and logistics. He added that he had made it clear from the outset that coordinators would not be paid, as they were “well-to-do on their own,” but Wayas reportedly “flared up and said no” to this approach.

Ughulu claimed that Peter Obi personally intervened to prevent the internal conflict from escalating further, urging him to avoid public commentary. He revealed that Obi pleaded with him, saying, “John, please, I beg you. Do not go to press. Do not say anything.” He confirmed that Obi had been briefed on the development and was unhappy with the situation, a position corroborated by Ladipo Johnson, a former spokesman of the New Nigeria People’s Party. Johnson, speaking on Arise Television, described the situation as a “distraction” rather than an existential threat, but confirmed Obi’s displeasure, stating that he saw the presidential candidate along with the DG and that Obi was not happy about the whole situation.

The OK Movement was conceived as a strategic political coalition designed to unite the Obidient Movement’s youthful, digitally-savvy supporters with the Kwankwasiyya Movement’s grassroots political organisation. Ughulu traced the movement’s origins to discussions aimed at creating a broader coalition capable of bringing together supporters of both candidates under one umbrella without dissolving their existing political identities. He disclosed that there was an initial agreement between the two candidates, Obi and Kwankwaso, that the OK Movement would not be relinquished and would still campaign for him in 2031 if he decides to come out for the presidential position, and he was a signatory to that agreement. He revealed that the movement’s name was deliberately chosen to attract supporters outside the traditional Obidient base, noting that there are people who love and want to support Peter Obi who are not Obidient members, and sticking only to that would make other associations and political parties unwilling to associate with them.

Adding another layer to the unfolding crisis, social media reports alleged that Obi had dismissed the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, over financial impropriety. When contacted by The PUNCH, Tanko categorically denied the allegation, stating that it was not true and that someone was just flying a kite. He mentioned that they were having a programme in the office and insisted he did not have a separate account and was not even a signatory to the account of the Obidient Movement, questioning why he would have a money-related matter. He also dismissed claims of tension between the Obidient Movement and the OK Movement, stressing that there was no crisis or internal conflict and that they were just trying to work together as a team.

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Shortly after Tanko’s defence, Idris Zekeri, Obi’s media aide, released a statement dismissing the reports as a “coordinated effort by political adversaries” to create division. The statement from the Peter Obi Media Office acknowledged recent coordinated efforts by political adversaries and disruptive individuals to create division, misrepresent their leader’s objectives, and foster artificial rifts within the movement dedicated to improving Nigeria. The statement accused unnamed political opponents of manufacturing distractions while Nigerians continued to grapple with economic hardship, insecurity and unemployment. They implored devoted supporters, including the Obidients and Kwankwasiyya movements, and all Nigerians of good conscience, to disregard rumours, fabricated stories, and deliberate provocations, including the purported sack of the Obidient Movement National Coordinator.

The internal wrangling comes at a critical period for the opposition as political groups continue consultations aimed at forging a united front capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2027 presidential election. While leaders of both movements have continued to insist that their disagreements are internal and resolvable, the public exchange of accusations and rival claims to leadership has raised fresh questions about cohesion within one of the emerging support platforms expected to play a significant role in opposition mobilisation. Johnson urged members to focus on strengthening the movement instead of allowing personal disagreements to undermine its broader political objectives, acknowledging that while there was a distraction, it was not significant enough to warrant unilateral actions that could scuttle or bring bad blood within the support base of the person they purportedly want to become president.

Political analysts warn that such infighting represents a significant gift to the ruling APC, as it weakens the opposition’s capacity to present a united front against President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid. The OK Movement’s internal crisis highlights the challenges of merging two powerful and distinct political bases, each with its own leadership structures, funding mechanisms, and strategic priorities. For the movement to fulfill its objective of mobilising a broad coalition capable of challenging the APC, leaders must resolve these internal disputes and present a cohesive vision for Nigeria’s future.

Power Struggle Threatens Peter Obi-Kwankwaso Alliance Ahead of 2027 Polls

Additional reporting by The PUNCH