Osun polls: I’m not under pressure but don’t trust police, says Adeleke

As political gladiators and stakeholders perfect arrangements ahead of August 15 polls in Osun, Governor Ademola Adeleke, on Monday declared that he was not under any pressure but did not trust the Police on neutrality and fairness.

He, however, expressed confidence in the ability of the National Peace Committee, headed by former military Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar, to wade in over alleged partisanship and politically motivated arrests by security agents.

Speaking shortly after a programme tagged “A Day with Mr Governor”, organised by the Office of the Head of Service in conjunction with labour leaders, workers and pensioners, Adeleke said “I’m not under pressure because I have God on my side and on the side of the people of Osun.

Adeleke stated: After signing the peace accord, the peace committee has promised me that they are talking to them. The Police I don’t trust them right now but the peace committee are talking to them and they promised to work on it. I pray by the special grace of God, God will touch their heart.”

Commenting on his readiness for the election, the governor, who is the flag bearer of Accord, exuded confidence that he would win, contending that all the scheming and discreet plot by the opposition to truncate his second term would fail.

He reaffirmed that his performance in all critical sectors and fulfilment of promises in the implementation of infrastructural projects, impactful economic policies, and welfare packages for the civil servants will speak for during the polls.

While contending that alleged intimidation by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and their stakeholders would be counterproductive in their bid to defeat him, Adeleke affirmed that “we are very prepared and I want you to tell them that they should not be afraid.

“This is democracy and Nigeria has decided to practice democracy. Our people should not be afraid even against all the intimidation of the APC. I’m telling them that democracy and the will of God will prevail. They should come out on August 15 enmasse and should not be vote and let them go and perform their civic duty and their votes will count.

Earlier in his remark, the chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in Osun State, Comrade Christopher Arapasopo, posited that workers in the state would not go back to the dark days under the APC government.

According to him, “We must not go back to dark days under the APC government. Enough of intimidation and harassment. Tell them that we cannot be intimidated. God gave them opportunities to be governor of Osun State. Oyebamiji was two term commissioner under Aregbesola and Oyetola.

“Enough of intimidation and harassment. Tell them that we cannot be intimidated. God gave them opportunities to be governor of Osun State. Oyebamiji was two term commissioner under Aregbesola and Oyetola.

“But they failed Osun workers when they were in the government. Before now, some of our pensioners were receiving, N300, N1,500 and N3,000 as pension allowance. The story is now different as pensioners are now getting N25,000, N10,000 and better allowance.

Workers of Osun State it is time for election. All those causing problem for Governor Ademola Adeleke will evaporate like fart. We don’t have anybody but we have Almighty God. We are the anointed and let us tell God in prayer so that Adeleke’s enemies will meet their Waterloo, “Arapasopo averred.