PDP Chairman Bisi Says Osun Faces Military-like Pressure Ahead of Election

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State, Sunday Bisi, spoke with ISMAEEL UTHMAN about the political situation as the August 15 governorship election approaches.

Bisi claimed that Osun is becoming militarized. He said, "The Federal Government has clamped down on us and the Osun State Government. This did not start today; it started almost two years ago when the local government allocation was seized, depriving the people of their rights and impacting their welfare." He explained that local government funds pay teachers, health workers, traditional rulers, and local government staff. The Ademola Adeleke administration has been trying to manage these issues with limited resources.

As the governorship election gets closer, Bisi accused the APC-led Federal Government of attacking Adeleke’s supporters and members of the Accord Party. He stated, "Many Accord Party members have been killed, while over 40 members of the party are now in police custody in Abuja. They are arrested in Osun and driven to Abuja, where they are detained without any charges."

Bisi pointed out that Alaba Popoola, the Accord Party House of Representatives candidate for Ijesa South Federal Constituency, was arrested on July 25 and remains in police custody without charges. He said, "This is worse than the military era. We have never seen a government like this before in Nigeria. They want to ground the government. Adeleke’s first term ends on November 27, 2026, and by the grace of God, he is going to get a second term. Why treat him this way? This is the height of desperation; and to say it is undemocratic is the least."

Bisi asked, "What have we done wrong other than to align with our people to develop Osun beyond their expectations?" He criticized the previous government, saying, "These people were here for 12 years and they did nothing for the people. When we came, despite the seizure of the local government allocation, we have done so many things, roads, bridges, flyovers and schools. The University of Ilesa was made functional by the Ademola Adeleke administration. UNIOSUN has also been well funded and is now ranked among the best state universities in Nigeria."

He added that they accomplished this with the limited resources available to run the government. He claimed, "Yet, the APC will not allow us to rest because they want to take over the government by force."

Bisi challenged the APC, saying, "Let them name their members who have been attacked, and let them bring charges against any of the Accord Party members arrested for any crime. We have Federal High Courts in Osun if they do not want to go to the state courts. Why are you taking people to Abuja without any charges? This is illegal."

He expressed concern over the police being used for political purposes. He said, "A notorious thug facing a murder charge in Osun is being escorted around the state by the police to take over garages. I have never seen this type of thing in my life. APC thugs are moving around with guns and other weapons in broad daylight, attacking and killing our people. We have video evidence."

Bisi mentioned that despite complaints and petitions to the Inspector-General of Police, nothing has been done. He said, "This is what we are facing."

He added, "If the APC has any evidence, let them bring it out. The last time the Inspector-General of Police came to Osun and told the governor that he was informed that some suspects were hiding in the Government House, the governor told the police to come and search the Government House. Up till now, they have not produced a single suspect."

Bisi stated that Adeleke is open to accountability, saying, "The governor said even if his own son is involved in any criminal act, he should be arrested. It is not a matter of accusations or counter-accusations. We have been the ones accusing them and we have evidence to prove our claims."

He emphasized that the public should know about the offenses of the arrested Accord Party members. He said, "I don’t agree. The general electorate, not only Accord Party members, are willing to come out and vote. People are resolute. The pensioners, the workers, the artisans, everybody is ready to vote for Adeleke. They will come out en masse on August 15, no matter the intimidation."

Bisi expressed confidence in winning the election, saying, "The APC is jittery. The APC is doing what it is doing because it is afraid of defeat. They know they are not popular, so they want to force themselves on the people of the state."

He criticized the recent arrest of the Secretary to the State Government. Bisi said, "They claimed that they found N4.3m and two voter cards in the house, an amount a Point of Sales operator could own. For crying out loud, when did our police become this petty? That is what we are facing in Osun. It is worrisome."

He urged voters to come out on election day and resist oppression. Bisi said, "They should come out and resist people who are punishing them daily. How would a right-thinking person freeze the account of a state government? The money that should be used to pay workers and for the development of the state."

He also pointed to former governor's influence on the current situation, saying, "I think the man behind all these things is the former governor. He has been the one using federal institutions against us in Osun."

Bisi called for the President to act responsibly. He said, "The President should be alive to his responsibilities. You cannot have the police under him doing all these things without being called to order."

He added, "He should please save democracy. We are not saying that he should support us in the election; he should just allow a free and fair election."

Bisi explained the political shift of Adeleke. He said, "In 2022, Adeleke contested under the PDP. When we knew that he could be disqualified by contesting under the PDP, I addressed a press conference and advised him to go and seek re-election under another political party, and he joined the Accord Party. Osun PDP does not have a governorship candidate, and the best thing for me to do is to give Adeleke 100 per cent support. The entire PDP structure in Osun is supporting Adeleke. He is a good governor. He has delivered on his promises. Why should we abandon him? That is my interest.