Osun 2026: SDP Candidate Accuses Adeleke Camp of N10,000 Vote-Buying

OSOGBO — Salawu Mustapha, governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in the August 15 Osun State election, has alleged that supporters of Governor Ademola Adeleke are attempting to influence voters through cash inducements.

Mustapha accused agents of the Accord Party working for the governor of offering N10,000 to voters under oath in return for their votes.

In a statement personally signed by him and made available to Vanguard Online, the SDP candidate condemned the alleged practice, saying a genuinely popular governor should not have to purchase votes to secure electoral support.

He also questioned a series of financial payments made by the Osun State Government shortly before the election, describing them as sudden and allegedly not included in the state’s original budget.

Among the payments he cited was N20,000 given to civil servants.

Mustapha also claimed that the state government increased the monthly allowance for NYSC members serving in Osun from N5,000 to N20,000.

He alleged that the timing of the payments suggested an attempt to influence the electorate ahead of the election.

“We must all condemn and criticise these actions. All these payments were not originally budgeted. A popular governor will not go so low to use government accounts to buy votes under the pretence of giving palliatives,” Mustapha said.

The SDP candidate questioned why the government waited until days before the election to make the payments.

“The critical question we must ask is why these monies are being paid just a few days before the election, if not for outright vote-buying?” he asked.

Mustapha further attacked the economic record of the Adeleke administration, alleging that the state had failed to perform adequately despite receiving federal allocations.

He also commented on the recent decision by President Bola Tinubu to unfreeze the Osun State Government’s account.

According to him, the move would only provide temporary relief, claiming that the EFCC would eventually revisit what he described as alleged mismanagement of state funds.

Mustapha did not, however, present evidence to support the allegations of vote-buying or financial mismanagement.

He appealed to voters not to allow short-term cash payments to determine their choice at the polls.

“I urge the electorate to protect their dignity and future. What lasting impact will a mere N10,000 have on your long-term well-being?” he said.

The SDP candidate urged Osun voters to vote against the incumbent administration on August 15, promising a different approach to governance if his party wins.

“We assure the citizens of Osun State that the current economic hardship and governance deficit will come to an end once the SDP is voted into power to birth a transparent and accountable administration,” he said.

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