With political tension gradually building ahead of the Osun governorship election, Governor Ademola Adeleke has moved to calm fears over alleged rigging plots and political violence, insisting that the people of the state will freely choose their leaders.

The governor urged residents to ignore what he described as rumours, threats and fear-mongering surrounding the forthcoming election, expressing confidence that his camp would secure victory with a wide margin.

“We shall win convincingly and we shall be declared winner with wide margins,” Adeleke declared.

Responding to growing concerns in some quarters over election manipulation and intimidation, the governor said preparations were ongoing to ensure voters exercise their rights without interference.

According to him, both formal and informal structures were already being mobilised to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process before, during and after the poll.

“Our people are determined to enforce free and fair elections within the ambit of the law,” he stated.

Adeleke further warned against any attempt to undermine the democratic process in Osun, stressing that the state would not tolerate actions capable of triggering unrest.

“We are the cradle of Yoruba nation. We are the ancestral state of Mr President. No security or electoral official will dare attempt to set Osun State on fire,” he said.

The governor added that his administration was closely monitoring all pre-election activities and would resist any move aimed at tampering with the outcome of the election.

“We will resist any move or ploy to tamper with the electoral process. We are closely monitoring all pre-election activities while watching machinery has been set for both election and post-election period. We are not taking anything to chance,” he added.

Adeleke also used the opportunity to appeal to politicians and stakeholders across party lines to support his re-election bid, describing his political movement as broader than partisan interests.

“Our candidature is beyond party lines. Ours is a pan-Osun movement, a rainbow coalition, to ensure the final exit of the state from under-development,” he said.

He further called on members of opposition parties to align with his administration ahead of the August 15 governorship election, saying his government represents progress and continuity for the state.