Osun State Governor and Accord Party governorship candidate, Ademola Adeleke, has described himself as a “bulldozer”, declaring that he is not intimidated by the alleged support of the Federal Government and some state governors for the All Progressives Congress candidate ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The governor stated this on Tuesday during the Arise Townhall Meeting, where he said the presence of governors supporting the APC candidate would not determine the outcome of the election.
This comes amid political tension in the Southwestern Nigerian state, arrests of state officials and the governor’s supporters by the police and widespread belief by Nigerians that the ruling APC is determined to win the state by all means.
According to Adeleke, popular for his dancing, he is prepared to face what he called federal might and the influence of governors backing his opponent.
“I am a bulldozer. I am not afraid of federal might and governors backing the APC candidate. If they like, they should bring all the governors,” he said.
He noted that the governors backing his opponent were his friends, stressing that they could campaign but would not be able to vote for the APC candidate.
“Those governors are my friends. I am a civilised administrator. They won’t vote; they can only come and dance, and after the election, we will meet,” he said.
Adeleke also dismissed allegations that his administration had militarised Osun State, arguing that he lacked the constitutional authority to deploy the armed forces.
“I did not militarise Osun. I have no such capacity. I am not the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” he said.