Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State on Monday warned President Bola Tinubu against allowing any attempt to manipulate the August 15 governorship election in the state, saying such a move could trigger a political crisis reminiscent of the violence that followed the disputed 1983 governorship election in the old Ondo State.

Adeleke issued the warning while addressing supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at Orita-Sabo in Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun State, where he also accused the President of failing to rein in alleged political violence and police harassment in the state.

The governor said the conduct of the forthcoming poll must be free, fair and credible, insisting that any effort to subvert the will of the electorate could have grave consequences.

Addressing the President directly, Adeleke said, “Mr President, I want you to take note of my words. I am the Chief Security Officer of Osun. You are a Yoruba man and Osun is Yorubaland, yet your party chieftains are perpetrating political violence while you look the other way.”

He alleged that political tensions in the state were being fuelled by leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while accusing the President of remaining silent despite the unfolding situation.

Adeleke further urged Tinubu to ensure security agencies, particularly the police, remained neutral throughout the election period.

“Mr President, all I demand for is a free and fair election. If anybody tries to do otherwise, the political crisis of 1983, when some people tried to rig Michael Ajasin in Ondo State out of power, may repeat itself again,” he said.

The governor also maintained that he remained the constitutionally recognised chief security officer of the state and urged the President to caution political actors and law enforcement agencies against actions capable of escalating tensions.

“Mr President, call your people to order, call police chiefs to order. I am the governor here, not any other person. Accord has already endorsed you as its candidate, why are they still disturbing us?” he said.

Adeleke further reminded Tinubu of his pro-democracy credentials, urging him to protect Nigeria’s democratic process rather than allow political interests to undermine it.

“You fought for democracy in Nigeria and you must not allow your people destroy it. Wake up to your responsibility, Mr President. Stop the shenanigans going on in Osun,” the governor added.

The August 15 governorship election is expected to be keenly contested, with political activities intensifying across Osun State amid heightened rhetoric from the major parties.