OSUN 2026: Silencing the opposition, intolerance of Adeleke-led PDP govt, by Tunde Faleye
On July 2nd, a letter was hurriedly issued by Governor Ademola Adeleke, through a government agency, to stop the erection of a campaign billboard for Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), at Ogooluwa—a clear reactionary move that came only a day after the billboard was mounted on July 1st.
This abrupt action was not only suspicious in timing but also hypocritical in reasoning. The cited justification by the Adeleke’s signage agency was that political campaigns had not officially commenced in line with INEC guidelines. Yet, across the country, promotional messages for the 2027 re-election campaigns of incumbent governors and the president are already visible in public spaces without restriction or harassment.
More importantly, people, particularly members of the ruling party in Osun, have, for the past three months, been erecting smaller campaign boards at strategic locations such as Olaiya Junction and other parts of Osogbo without any issue. The sudden targeting of a major billboard at Ogo-Oluwa was because of the location which is strategic and AMBO message that is resonating with the good people of Osun State.
This is not an isolated incident, nor is it a new trend. In June 2023, barely few months after Governor Ademola Adeleke assumed office, two personal billboards I funded and erected in support of Ilerioluwa’s 2022 campaign were forcefully pulled down, dismantled and destroyed. One of these was located directly in front of Osun Mall, while the other stood near the NNPC station in Abere. Not only were they brought down, but the iron poles were also cut into pieces and carted away. No formal notice. No due process. Just raw suppression of opposing voices.
Meanwhile, billboards across Osun State carrying Adeleke’s second-term campaign messages remain untouched. The bias is not only glaring but insulting to the intelligence of the good people of Osun.
Worse still, just days ago, the Adeleke-led administration threatened to shut down some radio stations in the state for no just cause. Their offense is only known to government not the discerning minds. Is it giving airtime to opposition politicians who dared to speak the truth about the state of affairs in Osun?. This is a direct attack on press freedom—an attempt to muzzle opposition and manipulate public perception through censorship. When a government becomes afraid of interviews and opinions, it has clearly lost its moral authority.
This pattern of intolerance by the PDP-led government under Governor Adeleke has gone on for too long. It is antithetical to democracy and dangerous for our political development as a state. You do not destroy billboards and silence voices simply because their message resonates with the people. You do not wield power as a weapon against opposition.
What is happening is clear: AMBO’s message is catching fire, and it is unsettling those who fear accountability and change. If they like, let them bring down every billboard in Osun, shut down all radio and TV stations—truth does not die. Osun people are not blind. They see. They understand.
The will of the people is not tied to iron poles or printed banners. It is planted in their hearts and minds. And when the time comes, no amount of political intimidation or structural manipulation can stop a movement whose time has come. Let it be known: Osun 2026 — AMBO ni Oluwa wi.
No force can stop what God has ordained. We are undeterred, unafraid, unperturbed and unshakable. Democracy belongs to the people—not to any party, not to any government. Let the people decide.
Dr. Tunde Faleye APC Stalwart, Ilesa East Local Government Area
