Gov. Adeleke Threatens President Tinubu with a Repeat of 1983 Political Violence

…Accuses the President of Withholding Osun Allocation

The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has warned of a recurrence of the political violence that rocked the old Oyo State in 1983 and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to “wake up to his responsibility.” He also alleged that the President was withholding Osun State’s allocation.

The governor made the remarks while campaigning in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Monday. During his address, he referenced the political violence of 1983, which resulted in dozens of deaths, widespread destruction of property, and ultimately set the stage for the military coup later that year. His comments come amid heightened political activities ahead of the Osun governorship election.

In recent months, there has been a series of accusations and counter-accusations between the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State and the Accord Party over politically motivated attacks and violence. The Osun APC and its Governorship Campaign Council have on several occasions alleged that members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led state government were responsible for attacks that claimed the lives of some of their members. They have repeatedly called on the Inspector-General of Police to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. Those allegations have been disputed.

In a new twist, Governor Adeleke, who has publicly endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term on more than one occasion, has now directed strong threatening at the President, warning him over the security situation and alleging that funds belonging to Osun State are being withheld. The development has sparked reactions within the state’s political space.

It is worth recalling that President Tinubu won the 2023 presidential election without the support of Governor Adeleke, who, as a member of the PDP, supported his own party’s presidential candidate during the election.