Gov. Adeleke denies involvement in Osun billboard vandalisation allegation
Kola Oyelere Kano
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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has denied allegations linking him to the vandalisation of billboards belonging to a political actor, describing the claim as unfounded and an attempt to seek attention.
The governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, stated this in a statement, accusing Goke Omigbodun, who levelled the allegation, of attempting to use the controversy to advance his senatorial ambition.
Rasheed maintained that Adeleke had no interest in the matter, noting that the governor was not contesting for the Senate and did not belong to Osun Central Senatorial District.
According to him, the governor is preoccupied with governance and would not concern himself with the billboards of a politician he described as politically insignificant.
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He, however, acknowledged that billboard vandalisation had become a regrettable development in the state, adding that Adeleke and members of his party had also been victims of the practice, including during pre-election conflicts.
The spokesperson further disclosed that billboards belonging to the Accord senatorial candidate for Osun Central, Hon. Ganiyu Asejere, had also been vandalised in Osogbo and other parts of the senatorial district.
He noted that political candidates were now exploring ways to protect their billboards, particularly as the state signage agency lacked the mandate to provide security at billboard locations.
Rasheed urged Omigbodun to refrain from dragging the state government into the controversy, accusing him of allowing personal animosity towards the governor to influence his actions.
“We urge Mr Omigbodun to grow beyond his historical hatred for the governor and avoid dragging the state leadership into a matter it has no hand in,” he said.
He reiterated that Adeleke had no involvement in the alleged vandalisation, describing the accusation as baseless and a distraction orchestrated by a bitter politician.