We have watched with growing concern the desperate and increasingly coordinated campaign of media appearances, protests and allegations being orchestrated by Mr. Gbemileke Alagbe following the confirmation of Olooye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke as the gubernatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Let us state this unequivocally: the time has come to put an end to this charade.
Olooye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke’s candidacy has been confirmed by the electoral umpire.
That is the reality before us. No amount of radio appearances, political theatrics, orchestrated protests or attempts to drag INEC through the court of public opinion will erase that fact.
Mr. Alagbe is entitled to seek legal redress, and we have no objection to his decision to approach the courts. But if he has chosen the judicial path, he should allow the court to speak rather than attempting to litigate his case every morning on radio.
Repeatedly alleging that INEC has been compromised without publicly producing credible evidence does not strengthen his case. It only creates unnecessary tension, misleads the public and gives the unfortunate impression that the objective is no longer to seek justice but to create confusion around the candidacy of Olooye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke.
And we will not allow that to happen.
Olooye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke is not distracted. His campaign is not distracted. His supporters are not distracted.
While Mr. Alagbe is moving from station to station and staging protests, Olooye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke remains focused on the people, his vision and the responsibility before him.
There are also legitimate questions about who benefits from this relentless campaign of destabilisation. The pattern and timing of these activities have understandably fuelled concerns that external political interests may be encouraging or sponsoring efforts designed to weaken Olooye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke and sow division around his candidacy.
We will not make unsubstantiated accusations, but neither will we be naïve about the political interests that may seek to exploit internal disagreements for their own advantage.
Mr. Alagbe should understand that political ambition has limits. You cannot lose a contest and then attempt to hold an entire political movement hostage through endless allegations, media campaigns and street protests.
If there is evidence, take it to court. If there is a case, let the court decide. But enough of the media blackmail and manufactured controversy.
The people deserve better.
Olooye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke has a mandate to pursue, a vision to present and a campaign to build. We will not permit anyone—regardless of personal ambition—to derail that mission.
The distractions will not work. The intimidation will not work. The propaganda will not work.
Olooye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke is moving forward. And the people of Oyo Sate are moving with him.
Signed:
Adetayo Kesa
Director-General
Olooye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke Campaign Council.
