The All Progressives Congress, (APC), and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Monday traded accusations over religion ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with the party’s deputy governorship candidate questioning the governor’s religious identity and Adeleke defending his administration’s record for the Muslim community.
Speaking at the 70th anniversary celebration of Union Baptist Church in Osogbo, the APC deputy governorship candidate, Benjamin Adereti, described Adeleke as a religious hypocrite, arguing that the governor’s religious identity remains unclear.
Adereti said the APC was not playing politics with religion, maintaining that its Muslim-Christian governorship ticket reflected religious balance.
“I thank you for the privilege given me to be a part of this 70th anniversary celebration. As you all know, Alhaji Bola Oyebamiji, who is a Muslim, is our candidate in the APC and I am his deputy and a Christian, unlike the other party, whose governor we don’t know if he is a Christian or Muslim,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the APC would emerge victorious in the August 15 governorship election.
“I am very optimistic that the APC and our candidate will emerge victorious on August 15. We are optimistic that the people are with us, and they will vote en masse for our candidate,” Adereti added.
Reacting, Governor Adeleke challenged the APC to compare its record in office with the achievements of his administration for the Muslim community.
Addressing members of the Muslim community in Osogbo, Adeleke said his administration had done more for Muslims than previous governments in the state.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor highlighted ongoing projects, including the construction of a Hajj camp and a mosque within the Government House.
“I am happy to report that my administration is almost completing the Hajj camp to remove the shame on the ummah. They were in office and they did not deem it fit to build the camp for intending pilgrims,” Adeleke said.
“They were in office and they claimed to be real Muslims, yet they did not think of a mosque at the Government House. My administration is building one.”
The governor also said Muslims occupy key positions in his administration, insisting that his government has ensured fairness in appointments and policies affecting the Muslim community.
“You all know my principal officers and many members of my cabinet are Muslims. I ensure Muslims get their fair share in almost all areas. I listed all the above to show what I did that they refused to do when they were in office.
“You can judge who is a true believer from the work of our hands,” Adeleke added.