Osun 2026: APC deputy gov candidate, Adeleke clash over religion stance

The Deputy Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the August 15 Osun governorship election, Mr Benjamin Adereti, has sparked a heavy political clash by labeling Governor Ademola Adeleke a “religious hypocrite”.

Adereti made the remark yesterday during the 70th anniversary celebration of Union Baptist Church, Osogbo.

Addressing the congregation, Adereti openly questioned Adeleke’s true religious identity ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

He said the APC is not playing politics with religion, saying it has direction in the religious identity of its candidates.

The APC deputy governorship candidate contrasted his party’s ticket with that of the Accord party, saying the APC presented a Muslim-Christian ticket that clearly reflects religious balance.

He said: “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 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.

“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,” he added.

In a swift reaction, Governor Ademola Adeleke, while addressing the Osun Muslim community in Osogbo, challenged the APC to compare its record while in government to that of his administration for the Muslim community.

Adeleke, in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, stated that the Governor told the ummah his achievement for the Muslim community surpasses that of his predecessors.

He said: “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 dim it fit to build the camp for intending pilgrims.

“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.

“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.”

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖