Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has urged residents to come out in large numbers and vote in the August 15 governorship election, assuring them that their votes would count despite alleged intimidation.

The governor made the appeal on Monday in Osogbo, the state capital, shortly after an interactive session with civil servants and pensioners at a programme titled A Day with Mr. Governor, organised by the Office of the Head of Service in collaboration with labour unions and pensioners.

Adeleke said he was confident of victory and insisted he was not under pressure as the election approaches, attributing his confidence to the support of the people and his faith in God.

He, however, expressed concerns about the neutrality of the police during the election but noted that members of the National Peace Committee had assured him they would engage with the security agency’s leadership following the signing of the Peace Accord by governorship candidates.

“I am not under pressure because I have God on my side and the people of Osun are with me. We are fully prepared, and I urge everyone not to be afraid despite any intimidation. This is a democracy, and people should come out on August 15, perform their civic duty and vote because their votes will count,” he said.

Adeleke added that although he was not confident in the police’s neutrality, he was hopeful that the intervention of the National Peace Committee would help ensure a peaceful and credible election.

Also speaking at the event, the Osun State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Christopher Arapasopo, commended the Adeleke administration for introducing policies aimed at improving workers’ welfare and increasing pension payments.

Addressing the gathering in Yoruba, Arapasopo urged residents not to be intimidated ahead of the election, saying the state should not return to what he described as the “dark days” under the All Progressives Congress.

He noted that pension payments had improved significantly under the current administration, explaining that pensioners who previously received as little as ₦300, ₦1,500 and ₦3,000 now receive higher monthly payments, including ₦10,000 and ₦25,000.

Arapasopo also called on workers and residents to support Adeleke’s re-election bid, expressing confidence that the governor would overcome political opposition.

Osun voters are expected to head to the polls on Saturday, August 15, to elect the state’s next governor. Fourteen candidates will contest the election, including the incumbent governor, who is seeking another term on the platform of the Accord Party.