Adeleke’s victory: people speak loud with votes – Accord National chairman

The National Chairman of the Accord Party, Maxwell Mgbudem, has described the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke as a historic victory for democracy and the resilient people of Osun State, declaring that the people have spoken loud with their votes.

Addressing newsmen in Osogbo on Monday, Mgbudem celebrated the party’s win in the governorship election, describing it as a powerful testament to the people’s resolve to freely choose their leader. 

He noted that the election was a triumph of courage over fear and intimidation, where the people of Osun stood firmly with their governor.

“It was indeed, the triumph of courage over fear and intimidation. The people have spoken loud and clear with their votes. They have in one accord renewed the mandate of their beloved Governor Adeleke. They have voted for continuity, compassionate and inclusive governance”, he said.

The Accord party chairman condemned what he described as an electioneering period characterized by unusual harassment, intimidation, arrests, and other acts to destabilize the state, citing the withholding of local government funds and tactics by security agencies as attempts to make Osun ungovernable.

“The electioneering period was characterised by unusual harassment, intimidation, destruction of property, arrests, detention, killings and the use of federal might, particularly the Police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to subdue, suppress and oppress the party, the Government and peace-loving people of Osun State in a way never seen in this democratic era. That was when these anti-democratic forces had crippled the local governments in the state, the essential third arm of government by withholding the federal allocations due to them despite a clear order of a court of competent jurisdiction to release the funds for effective service delivery to the people. 

“The objective is to destabilise the government of His Excellency Governor Ademola Adeleke and make Osun State ungovernable to pave the way for a declaration of a state of emergency” Mgbudem said.

Mgbudem stressed that the party’s commitment to the democratic process, stating that Accord prepared for an election, not a war. He said that the victory was due to the evidence of Adeleke’s leadership in transformation of Osun State.

“It is well known that our great party, Accord prepared for an election in its stronghold, not for a war, conscious of the fact that the ballot is stronger than the bullet. The achievements of Governor Adeleke are evident and the impacts of his transformative leadership is undeniable. The people identified with him and Accord in pursuit of a better, greater, brighter and prosperous Osun State” he said.

The national chairman extended his words to opposition parties, urging them to close ranks with the Accord government to make Osun State great again, emphasizing that the interest of the state is greater than individual political interests.

Mgbudem also demanded release of all party leaders, candidates, and supporters arrested during the election period, urging the Inspector General of Police to act in the interest of justice. He commended Nigerians, civil society, and the electoral bodies upholding democratic ideals .