Oyetola slams Adeleke over Osun violence, demands end to ‘false accusations’

Adegboyega Oyetola, the minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has accused Ademola Adeleke, Osun State governor, of engaging in what he described as incessant blackmail and misleading the public over recent attacks in the state.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by Bolaji Akinola, his special adviser on communications, Oyetola urged the governor to stop “his incessant blackmails, telling lies to the people” and refrain from using propaganda to shift responsibility for the violence.

The minister alleged that Adeleke and his supporters had repeatedly targeted opposition members and innocent residents before accusing the opposition without proof.

“He should stop blackmailing me and stop deceiving the public with false accusations. The people know the truth, and no amount of propaganda can change it,” Oyetola said.
He described the alleged attacks on members of the opposition All Progressives Congress as “deeply unfortunate and unacceptable in a democracy,” stressing that political competition should not descend into violence.
“Political contests must never degenerate into intimidation, attacks, or bloodshed,” he said.
Oyetola further accused the governor of “weaponising insecurity for political gains,” arguing that such actions would not diminish the growing support for the APC in the state ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.
“No amount of propaganda or diversionary tactics will change the will of the people,” the minister declared.
He called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, and other security agencies to ensure law and order throughout the electioneering period.
According to him, security agencies must guarantee the safety of all residents regardless of their political affiliations.
The minister also sympathised with victims of the attacks and reiterated that democracy should be anchored on peace, fairness and respect for the rule of law.
According to the statement, thugs allegedly linked to the Accord Party attacked APC supporters in Owode Ede, Adeleke’s hometown, and other parts of the state while they were returning from a rally in Ile-Ife organised to mobilise support for the APC governorship candidate in the August 15 election, Bola Oyebamiji.