The Imole Campaign Council has described as laughable and defeatist the attempt by the Osun State All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council to link Governor Ademola Adeleke to an alleged oath-taking video currently circulating on social media, stating emphatically that the governor has absolutely no connection whatsoever with any such activity.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Chairman, Media Committee, The Imole Campaign Council, Bamidele Salam, said the council is presently examining the authenticity, source and circumstances surrounding the video in question.

According to him, “It is important to state categorically that Governor Ademola Adeleke has neither authorised, participated in, directed nor endorsed the taking of any oath by anyone in relation to the August 15 governorship election or for any other political purpose.

“Governor Adeleke is a democrat who believes fundamentally in the freedom of citizens to make their political choices according to their conscience. He does not need oaths, threats, intimidation or any form of coercion to secure the support of the people of Osun State.”

He further said, “Indeed, the governor enjoys broad and demonstrable support across the state based on his record of performance and his personal connection with the people. His campaign is therefore anchored on his achievements, his vision for Osun and the confidence of the electorate, not on superstition, coercion or clandestine practices.

“The APC’s attempt to immediately attribute an unverified social media video to Governor Adeleke is therefore nothing but a hard-sell political manoeuvre by an opposition that is increasingly confronted with the reality of its rejection by the Osun electorate.

“The APC’s attempt to convert an unverified video into a campaign issue also exposes the poverty of its campaign strategy. Rather than engage Governor Adeleke’s administration on roads, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare, infrastructure, rural development and other measurable areas of governance, the opposition has resorted to allegations based on videos whose provenance remains unclear.

“But let there be no ambiguity: 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. He does not require supernatural intervention to win an election. His strength is the people. His campaign is based on his record. His mandate belongs to the electorate.”

Salam noted that the APC should therefore stop looking for excuses in videos and begin preparing for the verdict of the Osun people on August 15.

“The people of Osun are not being asked to vote for Governor Adeleke because of any oath. They are being asked to vote for him because they have seen the difference between a government that works for the people and an opposition that has offered little beyond fear, propaganda and empty accusations.

“Governor Adeleke will face the people on August 15 with his record. Let the APC face the people with its own record.” (THISDAY)

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