​Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has called on residents of the state to ignore alleged threats and intimidation ahead of the August 15 governorship election and come out in large numbers to vote.

Speaking during a church service in Osogbo on Sunday, Adeleke accused opposition figures in the state of resorting to violence after losing public support.

 He expressed confidence in securing a second term, citing his administration’s achievements in workers’ welfare, healthcare, education, infrastructure and agriculture.

The governor assured residents that adequate measures were being taken to guarantee their safety during the election and urged them to vote according to their conscience.

Meanwhile, the Imole Campaign Council raised concerns over what it described as a tense political atmosphere in the state ahead of the poll. 

The council alleged that dozens of Accord Party leaders and other political figures had been targeted for arrest in the run-up to the election and called on security agencies to ensure fairness and professionalism.

The council also appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and other security chiefs to safeguard the democratic process and prevent any form of political intimidation.

Accord Party presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, urged party members in Osun to remain loyal and work for the party’s success despite recent internal disagreements. 

He criticised what he described as acts of disloyalty but insisted that party supporters should stay focused on the election.

Also, the Osun State chapter of the African Action Congress (AAC) faulted the decision of some governorship candidates to boycott a televised debate, arguing that public debates are essential for accountability and democratic engagement.

On his part, APC chieftain, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, urged the police to remain neutral and ensure a peaceful, credible and violence-free election, stressing that voters must be adequately protected before, during and after the poll.

Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Adewole Adebayo, says he contested the 2023 general elections against the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Adedayo made this claim during a live appearance in an interview programme on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’.

He blasted the outcome of the 2023 elections, alleging that it was marred by fraud and the legitimization of false figures by the electoral umpire.

The presidential candidate expressed a desire for the 2027 polls to be different, calling on the electoral body and the security operatives to be impartial entities rather than opponents.

“In 2023, I contested against INEC. INEC was the opponent. It’s like you allow a bank robber to count the money stolen from the bank, and you say that’s his profit. So what happened in 2023 was not good at all. All those numbers were fake.

“The difference I would want now, hopefully I pray for the INEC chairman, Joash Amupitan, Electoral Commissioners and other staff, that this time around no candidate should see INEC as an enemy.

“So if it is candidate versus candidate, then we are ready. But there is no candidate who should be unfortunate enough to be running against INEC, like we were running against INEC in 2023, and that is what we need to change.

“And I pray that we pay attention to that and we become serious to run for an election. It’s like to write an exam, your score to reflect your effort, and that is it,” he said.

The Labour Party (LP) has warned that creating new political alliances ahead of the 2027 general election could weaken the opposition rather than strengthen it.

The party urged opposition groups and political movements to join its platform instead of forming new coalitions, insisting that it already has the structure needed to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, on behalf of the party and the G-100 Coalition Group.

According to the statement, while the Labour Party supports cooperation among opposition parties, it believes that creating new platforms would divide the opposition and reduce its chances of victory.

“Rather than creating new platforms or fragmented alliances, the national interest would be better served by strengthening the one opposition party that already possesses a tested nationwide network and institutional foundation,” the statement said.

The party argued that its relationship with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) gives it a strong presence across the country.

Asogwa said the party has members and supporters in virtually every polling unit, ward and local government area through serving and retired civil servants.

He added that the Labour Party enjoys an unmatched grassroots presence because serving and retired civil servants are found in nearly every polling unit, ward, local government area and community across the country.

He further stated that no other political party, including the APC, has such an extensive nationwide structure.

“The Labour Party is the strongest opposition platform capable of winning the 2027 presidential election. We already have a strong organisational structure, an active membership base and a credible presidential candidate with the capacity to provide the leadership Nigerians are looking for,” the statement said.

Asogwa added that the opposition should focus on uniting behind a single viable platform rather than attempting to create another coalition.