The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Bashiru, has accused Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke of growing increasingly anxious over what he described as his “imminent defeat” in the August 15 governorship election.

Bashiru said the governor’s repeated warnings about alleged rigging, political violence and insecurity were signs of apprehension over the outcome of the poll.

Speaking with reporters at the APC national secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday, Bashiru said Adeleke’s recent criticisms of President Bola Tinubu and other APC leaders showed that the governor was attempting to shift attention away from his administration’s record.

He challenged Adeleke to tell Osun voters what his government had achieved since assuming office rather than blame the opposition for his political difficulties.

Bashiru’s comments followed Adeleke’s recent remarks at a campaign rally in Osun, where the governor appealed to Tinubu to intervene over what he described as alleged extrajudicial killings in the state. Adeleke also warned against a repeat of the political crisis associated with the 1983 elections in the old Western Region and demanded a free and fair election on August 15.

However, Bashiru interpreted Adeleke’s warnings differently, arguing that they reflected fear of losing an election the APC believes is increasingly tilting in its favour.

He said the governor should be discussing infrastructure, education and other governance issues rather than raising concerns about alleged rigging and political violence.

The APC national secretary alleged that the state government had failed to adequately address infrastructure and education challenges, claiming that more than 20 roads remained in poor condition while Osun faced a shortage of about 30,000 teachers.

He argued that fixing the roads would boost economic activity and connectivity, while recruiting teachers would strengthen education and create employment opportunities.

Bashiru said these issues were more important to voters than the political accusations being exchanged ahead of the election. He maintained that Adeleke should campaign on his record and explain what he had achieved in office and what he intended to do differently if re-elected.

The APC scribe also dismissed Adeleke’s endorsement of Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election as incapable of guaranteeing the governor’s victory in the August 15 poll. According to him, supporting Tinubu does not remove the need for Adeleke to convince Osun voters that his administration deserves another term.

Bashiru further cited the reception accorded APC governorship candidate Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, at campaign rallies as evidence of growing support for the opposition party.

He said the crowds at APC rallies showed that the party’s candidate was gaining momentum across the state and accused Adeleke of using what he described as political blackmail to generate sympathy.

The Osun APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, separately rejected Adeleke’s allegations against Tinubu and former governor Adegboyega Oyetola. Olabisi accused the governor of attempting to divert attention from his administration’s record and made further allegations concerning political appointments, alleged support for individuals accused of political violence and the reported granting of amnesty to some alleged political thugs in correctional centres.

 The allegations remain claims by the opposition party and would require responses from Adeleke and his administration.