APC's Plot to Disrupt Governor Adeleke's Campaign Flag-off Exposed - TICC

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The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) has said that it has received credible intelligence regarding an alleged plot by members of the Osun State chapter of the APC to disrupt the official campaign flag-off of Governor Ademola Adeleke ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

In a statement by its Spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the council stated that certain APC actors recently held a clandestine meeting with some hoodlums allegedly recruited to disguise themselves as students, civil society activists, or advocates for the recently abducted school children in Oyo State, with the objective of staging a protest targeted at Governor Adeleke’s official campaign launch on Tuesday.

The council thereafter urged the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other relevant security agencies to be vigilant and circumspect regarding the activities of political actors who may seek to infiltrate or disrupt the campaign flag-off under any guise.

The statement reads, “The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) has received credible intelligence regarding an alleged plot by desperate opposition elements within the Osun State chapter of the APC to disrupt the official campaign flag-off of Governor Ademola Adeleke ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

“According to information available to the Council, certain APC actors recently held a clandestine meeting with some hoodlums allegedly recruited to disguise themselves as students, civil society activists, or advocates for the recently abducted school children in Oyo State, with the objective of staging a protest targeted at Governor Adeleke’s official campaign launch.

“We call on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other relevant security agencies to be vigilant and circumspect regarding the activities of desperate political actors who may seek to infiltrate or disrupt tomorrow’s campaign flag-off under any guise.

“If true, such a scheme represents a disturbing attempt to exploit a painful national tragedy for partisan political gains. It is particularly unfortunate that a matter involving innocent school children, their traumatised families, and the collective concern of Nigerians could be converted into a tool for political desperation.

“Governor Ademola Adeleke, like millions of Nigerians, has expressed deep sadness and concern over the abduction of the school children and has consistently identified with victims of insecurity across the country. However, it must be stated that the Osun governorship election is a constitutional and statutory process governed by clearly established timelines and schedules determined long before the unfortunate incident involving the school children.

“The official campaign flag-off of Governor Adeleke’s re-election bid forms part of those legally prescribed electoral activities and cannot reasonably be linked to, or blamed for, a tragic development that occurred outside the state and beyond the control of the Osun State Government.

“It is therefore disappointing that elements within the opposition would seek to manipulate public emotions surrounding such a sensitive issue in a calculated effort to disrupt a lawful democratic exercise. Such conduct, if allowed to proceed unchecked, would amount to a dangerous abuse of public sympathy and an attempt to undermine the integrity of the electoral process.

“The people of Osun State are politically enlightened and can easily distinguish between genuine civic engagement and politically motivated spectacles designed to generate controversy, create tension, and attract undeserved public sympathy.

“We call on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other relevant security agencies to be vigilant and circumspect regarding the activities of desperate political actors who may seek to infiltrate or disrupt tomorrow’s campaign flag-off under any guise. Any attempt to sponsor unrest, impersonate students or advocacy groups, or weaponise public grief for political purposes must be thoroughly investigated.

“The APC appears increasingly uncomfortable with the growing acceptance and popularity of Governor Ademola Adeleke across Osun State. Having failed to gain traction through issue-based campaigns and meaningful engagement with the electorate, some of its actors now appear determined to resort to diversionary tactics aimed at creating confusion and disrupting the peaceful democratic atmosphere currently enjoyed in the state.

“We urge students, youth organisations, civil society groups, and members of the public not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of political manipulation by politicians whose desperation for power has apparently eclipsed basic decency and respect for grieving families.

“Governor Ademola Adeleke remains focused on governance, development, and the welfare of the people of Osun State. The unprecedented support he continues to enjoy across communities, professional groups, artisans, students, women, and grassroots organisations cannot be diminished by propaganda, sponsored protests, or politically motivated disruptions.

“Osun deserves peace. Osun deserves issue-based politics. And Osun deserves an electoral contest anchored on performance, vision, and democratic engagement, not on the exploitation of tragedy for political advantage.”

Osun Spring

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