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

Jonathan’s PhD, Obi’s Degree Changed Nothing for Nigeria — APC Chieftain Defends Tinubu

A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alwan Hassan, has dismissed arguments that academic qualifications determine leadership competence, insisting that the educational credentials of prominent opposition figures have not translated into better governance or political judgment for Nigeria .

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday, Hassan argued that former President Goodluck Jonathan’s doctorate (PhD), Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi’s university degree (BSc), and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s credentials had not produced any significant national transformation. He questioned the relevance of these qualifications in practical governance and political decision-making, challenging their tangible impact on the country’s development trajectory. “Tell me what Jonathan’s PhD has done to Nigeria. Tell me how Obi’s degree (BSc) has helped improve his communication skills. Tell me what it has done to Atiku to help him navigate and know the time to contest or when to concede for the best person of the time,” Hassan said. According to Hassan, the opposition has failed to present substantive criticisms against President Bola Tinubu’s administration, relying instead on debates over his academic background rather than engaging with policy issues and governance outcomes. He accused opposition leaders of being driven by personal ambition rather than offering meaningful policy alternatives, stating bluntly that “these guys are greedy guys. They don’t have any substance to hold this man.”

Hassan also defended President Tinubu against lingering allegations surrounding his certificate from Chicago State University, maintaining that there is no official declaration from the institution that the certificate submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was forged. He argued that the university had confirmed under oath that President Tinubu attended the institution and graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and that no court had ever ruled the document invalid. “There is nowhere that Chicago State University says the certificate President Tinubu submitted to INEC is forged. What the Constitution says is a school certificate or its equivalent. An equivalent of a school certificate is the ability to read and write,” Hassan stated. His defence anchored on judicial precedents interpreting Section 131(d) of the 1999 Constitution, which specifies the statutory minimum threshold of a “School Certificate or its equivalent” as a broad qualification designed to assess basic literacy and educational attainment, which higher academic qualifications far exceed. The APC chieftain further cited global examples to support his argument, noting that one of the world’s richest men, Bill Gates, dropped out of Harvard but still achieved greatness, demonstrating that formal credentials are not the sole determinant of success. In his view, President Tinubu has, in less than four years, done more than what some past Nigerian leaders could have achieved, and he pointed out that “there are people who are Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) in this country who did not attend primary and secondary school,” suggesting that practical experience and competence matter more than paper qualifications.

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However, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain and lawyer, Kalu Kalu, rejected the APC’s defence, insisting that questions about Tinubu’s educational records remain unanswered and that inconsistencies surrounding Tinubu’s academic history continue to fuel concerns over the authenticity of his records. “Everything about President Ahmed Tinubu’s certificate is shrouded in forgery. Today, what do we have in Tinubu’s records? There is no information as to his primary school or his secondary school,” Kalu said. He challenged the President to publicly disclose the primary and secondary schools he attended, arguing that doing so would help address lingering questions about his educational background and put the matter to rest once and for all. Kalu alleged that documents obtained from Chicago State University during litigation initiated by Atiku Abubakar raised questions about information allegedly supplied by Tinubu during his admission process, and he further argued that anyone found to have submitted forged certificates would be constitutionally disqualified from contesting for the office of President under Nigerian law. Hassan dismissed the allegations, repeatedly demanding proof that any court had declared the documents forged, and challenged his opponents to provide concrete evidence rather than speculation. “The issue is, has Tinubu at any time presented a forged certificate to INEC? Can we have your evidence that he did? Show us,” Hassan challenged, shifting the burden of proof back to the opposition.

It is worth noting that Hassan has previously expressed concerns about internal party dynamics, warning that the real danger to Tinubu’s re-election may not come from opposition parties but from within the APC itself. Speaking on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily, he stated that many ministers and governors do not genuinely support President Tinubu, drawing parallels with the internal sabotage that contributed to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s defeat in 2015 when members of his own party allegedly worked against his re-election. “A lot of ministers and governors in our party (APC) do not have President Tinubu at heart. They don’t like him for who he is; they want him for what he is,” Hassan said, suggesting that some party members are more interested in personal gain than in the president’s success. He maintained that a significant number of APC power brokers were following the same pattern, pretending to be loyal while quietly undermining the president’s political standing, and warned that this internal disaffection could pose a greater threat to Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid than any opposition challenge.

Hassan’s remarks follow fresh controversies that greeted the academic credentials submitted by President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 elections as revealed by INEC, reigniting a debate that has persisted since the 2023 presidential election. The exchange reflects continued political disagreement between the ruling APC and the opposition over Tinubu’s academic credentials, an issue that has remained a subject of public debate and legal challenges. The comments were also directed at opposition figures who have positioned themselves as alternatives to Tinubu, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi (who resigned from the ADC and was ratified as the presidential candidate of the New Democratic Congress for 2027), and others who have made their academic qualifications a point of distinction in their political campaigns. Hassan suggested that attacks on the president have been driven more by political rivalry than by genuine policy concerns, and that the opposition would be better served by presenting alternative solutions to Nigeria’s challenges rather than engaging in what he described as baseless attacks on the president’s personal history.

Jonathan’s PhD, Obi’s Degree Changed Nothing for Nigeria — APC Chieftain Defends Tinubu