Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has criticized Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing him as a threat to democracy.
Naija News reports that Adeleke called on President Bola Tinubu to caution the former Kano State governor over his remarks.
The governor’s reaction, conveyed through a statement by his media aide, Olawale Rasheed, on Monday, followed Ganduje’s comments about the APC’s intention to “seize” Osun State in 2026.
Ganduje made the statement in the wake of the APC’s victory in the Ondo State governorship election.
Adeleke accused Ganduje of attempting to disrupt the unity and peace in the South West, a region largely supportive of President Tinubu.
He alleged that Ganduje’s comments were aimed at creating political tension and undermining Tinubu’s leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.
Labeling Ganduje’s remarks as undemocratic, Adeleke noted that they contradicted Tinubu’s commitment to democratic principles.
He argued that electoral outcomes are determined by local factors and cannot be influenced by external forces or political rhetoric.
“As an experienced politician, Dr. Ganduje should understand that voter behavior is shaped by local concerns and realities,” Adeleke said. “What works in Ondo or Edo does not automatically apply in Osun State.”
The governor cited Ganduje’s political setbacks in Kano, where the Kwankwasiyya movement outperformed his faction despite his eight years as governor.
Adeleke questioned Ganduje’s belief that a similar strategy could succeed in Osun, a state with a history of valuing political freedom and resisting electoral malpractice.
“Osun is the cultural heart of the Yoruba people, where the right to vote is fiercely protected,” Adeleke stated. “It is puzzling why Ganduje thinks the people of Osun would abandon their mandate in 2026.”
Adeleke further accused Ganduje of jeopardizing Tinubu’s leadership by sowing division within the president’s home region.
He urged Ganduje to focus on understanding Osun’s political landscape instead of making threats that could destabilize the region.
The governor also highlighted recent defections from the opposition to the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun, strengthening the PDP’s position in the state.
Adeleke dismissed Ganduje’s actions as lacking the support of President Tinubu, emphasizing that the South West would not tolerate attempts to incite conflict or subvert democracy.