Senator representing Osun East senatorial district Francis Fadahunsi has accused Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, of shielding suspected criminals and undermining efforts to tackle insecurity in the state, as political tensions rise ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Speaking with journalists at his office in the National Assembly on Thursday, the lawmaker alleged that some individuals linked to cultism and violent crimes in Osun have enjoyed protection under the current administration instead of being brought to justice.
Fadahunsi claimed that the governor had maintained relationships with persons widely known in the state for criminal activities, alleging that such associations have weakened the fight against crime.
According to him, one alleged cult leader implicated in the killing of a student in 2018 was openly associated with the governor, while another individual accused of disrupting peace in Esa-Oke was later seen at the Government House in Osogbo.
“Imagine our dancing governor visiting a leader of one of the secret cults, a known criminal in the state who, in fact, killed a student in 2018,” Fadahunsi alleged.
He further claimed that another suspected cultist who fled Esa-Oke after allegedly causing unrest in the community later surfaced at the governor’s official residence without facing arrest or prosecution.
The senator also accused the governor of deploying operatives of the Osun Amotekun Corps against perceived political opponents and frustrating efforts by security agencies to apprehend suspected criminals in the state.
Beyond security concerns, Fadahunsi alleged that illegal mining activities have flourished under the Adeleke administration. He claimed that thousands of miners operating across the state pay levies to designated authorities, allowing the continued exploitation of mineral resources.
The lawmaker expressed confidence that Osun voters would reject the governor’s bid for re-election, arguing that dissatisfaction with the administration has grown across the state.
“Governor Adeleke will definitely meet his waterloo in the election. Aside from the dancers and spectators he carries around in the state, millions of concerned voters are waiting to kick him out,” he said.
The Osun State governorship election is scheduled to hold on August 15.
Governor Adeleke and the Osun State Government had not responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.