OSUN: The spokesperson to the state Governor Ademola Adeleke, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State of orchestrating a failed attempt to stop the Accord Party’s canvassers’ rally held in Ilesa, describing subsequent allegations by the opposition as a “bundle of fake news.”

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Rasheed alleged that the Osun APC embarked on what he described as an anti-democratic plot aimed at frustrating a legally organized political mobilization event that had Governor Adeleke as its chief host.

According to the governor’s spokesperson, the APC allegedly sought to use the police as a tool to prevent the rally from taking place by claiming to have scheduled another event on the same day, a move he said was intended to create grounds for the cancellation of political activities in the town.

Rasheed further claimed that the police command initially issued a directive cancelling the campaign event without consulting the state government, a development he described as politically motivated and favourable to the APC.

“The purported police directive was widely seen as a hatchet job in favour of Osun APC and a politically motivated decision designed to deny the Accord Party and its candidate their constitutional rights,” he stated.

He explained that Governor Adeleke subsequently engaged police authorities over what he termed the illegality and partisan implications of the decision, leading to a reversal of the position.

“Mr Governor did not disobey any police directive because there was no legal directive to obey. After engagement, the police authorities realised the implications of their position and withdrew their opposition to the hosting of the rally,” Rasheed said.

Addressing reports of a stage collapse during the event, the governor’s aide acknowledged that there were initial challenges but maintained that they were quickly resolved.

“There were a few hiccups at the beginning, but the issues were fixed, and the programme proceeded successfully with a huge turnout of voters and canvassers. All key leaders delivered their speeches, while Governor Adeleke officially inaugurated the canvassers,” he added.

Rasheed said videos and photographs circulating on social media showed the governor addressing the crowd, interacting with supporters, and participating fully in the programme.

On the political significance of the rally, the spokesperson argued that the large turnout in Ijesaland, particularly in the constituency of the campaign’s Director-General and a serving senator, reflected growing support for Governor Adeleke and the Accord Party ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

He further maintained that the successful hosting of the event, despite what he described as APC’s efforts to stop it, was an indication of continued public support for the governor’s administration.

While dismissing APC’s criticisms of the rally, Rasheed concluded that the turnout at the canvassers’ inauguration was a sign of what to expect across Osun State during the election season.

“By God and the people, Governor Adeleke will be re-elected on August 15,” the statement added.