The Imole Campaign Council of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has rejected allegations linking the governor to an alleged oath-taking exercise ahead of the August 15 governorship election, describing the claims as false and politically motivated.
The council said Adeleke neither authorised nor participated in any oath-taking activity, insisting that a viral video circulating on social media was being exploited by the opposition to tarnish his image and distract voters.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the Media Committee of the Imole Campaign Council, Bamidele Salam, the council dismissed attempts by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council to associate the governor with the video.
According to the statement, the campaign was investigating the authenticity and origin of the footage but maintained that Governor Adeleke had no involvement whatsoever.
“The council is examining the authenticity, source and circumstances surrounding the video. However, Governor Ademola Adeleke has neither authorised, participated in, directed nor endorsed any oath-taking exercise connected with the August 15 governorship election or any political activity,” the statement said.
The campaign council stressed that Adeleke remained committed to democratic values and believed voters should freely choose their preferred candidates without intimidation or coercion.
It stated that the governor’s popularity was built on his performance in office and his relationship with the people, not through threats, superstition or any form of political manipulation.
According to the council, Adeleke’s campaign is anchored on his administration’s achievements in governance and the confidence reposed in him by the electorate.
The statement further accused the APC of attempting to create political controversy from an unverified social media video instead of engaging the governor on issues of governance.
It argued that rather than debate the administration’s performance in areas such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, rural development and workers’ welfare, the opposition had resorted to what it described as baseless allegations.
The council also insisted that Adeleke had never demanded that supporters swear any oath before backing his re-election bid.
“Governor Ademola Adeleke does not require anybody to swear an oath before supporting him. He does not require anyone to invoke a curse before voting for him. His strength lies in the support of the people, and his campaign is driven by his record in office,” the statement added.
The campaign council urged the APC to focus on presenting its agenda to voters ahead of the August 15 governorship election instead of relying on what it called propaganda.
It also appealed to Osun residents to assess all candidates based on their performance and vision for the state, insisting that Governor Adeleke would seek re-election on the strength of his administration’s achievements rather than unfounded allegations.
