***Police declares 5 suspects wanted over violence
***Uzodimma chairs APC’s 276-member Campaign Council
By Omeiza Ajayi & Shina Abubakar
OSOGBO — GOVERNOR Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and the national leadership of Accord Party have adopted President Bola Tinubu as the party’s candidate for the 2027 election.
Spokesperson of the Adeleke re-election campaign, Pelumi Olajengbesi, in a statement, said the governor and the party’s national leadership met on Saturday night in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, where they discussed extensively about issues confronting the party.
According to Olajengbesi, the party leadership said it is important that the Tinubu administration completes all the roads and infrastructure projects it has commenced, such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and the Sokoto-Badagry highway.
He said discussions about the August governorship election were also held with the party’s leadership, warning against violence, intimidation, electoral manipulation and the use of security forces against members of the Accord Party in Osun State.
Non-indigenes back Adeleke’s re-election
Meanwhile, non-indigenous residents from the South, Benue and Plateau states living in Osun State have pledged their support for the re-election of Governor Adeleke, while reaffirming their commitment to peaceful coexistence and the development of the state.
The endorsement came at a town hall meeting held at the weekend in Ede and convened by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Non-Indigenes from the South, Benue and Plateau States, Mr Nworie Monday Michael.
Police declare 5suspects wanted over violence
Meanwhile, following the rising political crisis in Osun State, the police command has declared five suspected political thugs wanted in connection with the violence.
Recall that political tension rose in the state during which several people were killed, including a teenager in Ilobu, Olapade Ezekiel.
The command, in a statement by its spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, described killing of lives and wanton destruction of property in the state; hence, the command is on the trail of some persons mentioned in connection with the crisis.
Some of the names mentioned include: Dauda Olamilekan, alias Emir, one Taoreed alias Small Rugged; Adetunji Kamoru Olatunde; Saka Afees (Terror), Adeyemi Saheed.
The police tasked residents of the state to make available to its news of the whereabouts of the said individuals for prompt attention and report any crime to the nearest station.
Oyebamiji to Christians: Consider my competence, not religion
Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr Bola Oyebamiji, has urged Christians in the state to consider his competence to govern and vote for him as the next Governor of Osun rather than resorting to sentiment.
Speaking at the Winners Chapel in Osogbo, yesterday, he noted that citizens, irrespective of their bias should participate in deciding political leaders.
Oyebamiji said: “Politics is one of the legitimate avenues through which we can promote justice, equity, peace and development. Christians should participate actively by voting, offering constructive ideas, praying for leaders and, where called, seeking elective or appointive offices.
“As citizens, we all have a responsibility to elect leaders based on competence, integrity, character, vision and capacity to serve—not on sentiment, ethnicity or religious affiliation alone. Democracy flourishes when citizens make informed choices and insist on accountable leadership.
“Permit me to also say that although I am a Muslim, I firmly believe in the constitutional principles upon which our nation is founded. Nigeria belongs to all of us. Our Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and equal rights for every citizen. By the grace of God, if entrusted with the responsibility of governing Osun State, I shall govern strictly in accordance with the Constitution, the rule of law, fairness, justice and equity.”
Uzodimma chairs APC’s 276-member Campaign Council
Also, the APC has announced a 276-member National Campaign Council and subcommittees for the Osun State governorship election, with Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, named as Chairman of the Council.
The party’s National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, in a statement, noted that the Council comprises eminent party leaders, governors, members of the National Working Committee, principal officers of the National Assembly, ministers, federal and state legislators, and other key stakeholders drawn from across the country to drive the party’s campaign towards victory.
To ensure seamless coordination and effective execution of campaign activities, the party disclosed that it has also constituted specialized subcommittees covering election planning and management; finance and resource mobilization; contact, grassroots engagement, and mobilization; logistics and campaign management; monitoring and compliance; protocol; media and publicity; security; youth mobilization; special interest (persons with disabilities) mobilisation; women’s mobilization; and secretariat functions.
