With less than 23 days until the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, the Imole Campaign Council (TICC) has told the All Progressives Congress (APC) that alleged violence and threats will not secure victory for the opposition party.
The TICC, which manages Governor Ademola Adeleke‘s re-election bid, also advised the APC to show remorse for its past performance while in power. Furthermore, the organisation urged the party to apologise to the people of Osun State.
APC members defecting to Accord, says TICC
The TICC issued a statement through its spokesperson Pelumi Olajengbesi. In the statement, the organisation restated its position on Adeleke’s anticipated victory. Olajengbesi noted that APC members are daily defecting to the Accord party.
“The daily influx of members of the APC into the Accord is a pointer to where the people stand as far as the upcoming election is concerned,” the statement read.
Olajengbesi emphasised that democracy remains a game of numbers and acceptability. He said the people are aligning with Adeleke’s re-election bid. Meanwhile, he accused the Osun APC of promoting violence and terrorising the people.
Winning support should be voluntary, not coerced
The TICC maintained that winning support should be voluntary. It should not be coerced through threat or force. The organisation argued that the people are rejecting the APC because it failed them in the past.
“As a campaign, we maintain that winning support should be voluntarily not coerced through threat or force,” the statement said. “If the people are rejecting the APC, it is because it failed them in the past and they cannot trust it with their leadership.”
The TICC called on the APC to reflect on its past misdeeds. It also urged the party to show remorse. The organisation strongly rejected what it described as armstrong tactics that try to usurp the people’s power.
“Thinking it can Lord itself on the people through violence has no place in a democracy,” the statement added. “We strongly reject this armstrong tactics that try to usurp the power of the people to make their choice freely.”
Adeleke’s performance drives support, TICC insists
The TICC insisted that support for Governor Adeleke is rooted in performance. Consequently, no amount of violence or threat will dissuade the people, the organisation added.
“The support for Governor Adeleke is rooted in performance and no amount of violence or threat will dissuade it,” the statement read. “Across Osun, the people appreciate what Governor Adeleke has done so far and want the good work to continue.”
The TICC appreciated the overwhelming confidence of the people. The organisation noted that this support has now extended to APC members. These members are now daily joining the movement, the statement added.
“We appreciate the overwhelming confidence of the people, which has now extended to APC members, who are now daily joining the movement to sustain the progress Osun is witnessing under Governor Adeleke,” the statement said.
TICC urges voters to remain strong
The campaign council enjoined Osun people to remain strong. It urged them to refuse to surrender to violence. The organisation said Governor Adeleke has shown that government can actually work for the people.
“Governor Adeleke has shown that government can actually work for the people,” the statement concluded. “They must come out in large number to cast their ballots to ensure that the good work extend into another four years.”
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