Politics

Don’t Kill Hon. Wole Oke: Osun Must Reject Politics of Intimidation

Published by Akinwale Fakinlede on July 3rd, 2026.

*Don’t Kill Hon. Wole Oke: Osun Must Reject Politics of Intimidation*

_4th July, 2026_

Politics without honour is a house without a roof. It exposes everyone to the rain. In recent days we have watched, with deep concern, a deliberate attack on the personality of *Hon. Wole Oke* — a man who has served this state and nation with candour, consistency, and courage. We condemn it in totality. _A kì í pa ẹni tó sọ̀rọ̀ òtítọ́ nítorí pé ohùn rẹ̀ ga_ — We do not kill the one who speaks truth because his voice is loud.

Osun is bigger than personal vendetta. Democracy is not a battlefield where opponents are silenced, slandered, or hounded out of relevance. It is a marketplace of ideas, where intellect contends with intellect, record contends with record, and vision contends with vision. _Ogun ọrọ̀ ni ọgbọ́n ń jagun, kii ṣe ọkọ ati ibọn_ — Wisdom fights with words, not with guns and trucks. When we descend into politics of intimidation, we insult the intelligence of the people and mortgage the future of our children.

Hon. Wole Oke may not agree with everyone. He may hold views that unsettle power. But disagreement is not a crime, and dissent is not treason. _Enu tí ó sọ òtítọ́, kò yẹ kí a fi òkúta dé_ — The mouth that speaks truth should not be sealed with stones. If there are issues, let us debate them on the pages of policy, on the floor of facts, and in the court of public record. Let us ask: What has he done? What has he failed to do? What is his alternative? That is politics of intellectualism. Anything else is thuggery in a suit.

Osun deserves better. Our people are tired of fear. They are tired of a climate where speaking up attracts attacks instead of answers. _Ti a ba pa apẹrẹ, ta ni yoo fi ṣe iwọn?_ — If we kill the measuring stick, what shall we use to measure? Leaders are measured by ideas, not by the number of voices they suppress.

Therefore, we call on all stakeholders — party leaders, youth groups, media, and citizens — to draw the line. Condemn the smear. Reject the intimidation. Protect the space for robust, respectful contest. Osun must choose a path where ideas are not assassinated, and men are not crucified for holding government accountable.

_Iṣọkan ni agbara, òtítọ́ sì ni ìlàna_ — Unity is strength, and truth is the compass. Let us walk that path together.

*Authored by:*

*Hon. Rotimi Makinde*

_Chairman, Entertainment Committee, APC Governorship Campaign_