A fifth-term federal lawmaker has vowed to challenge the outcome of Saturday’s National Assembly elections in court, accusing powerful political forces of orchestrating a systematic campaign to end his two-decade dominance in Osun State politics.
Oluwole Oke, representing the Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency, made the declaration during a tense strategy meeting with supporters in Esa-Oke, just days after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The legislator, who was denied an automatic return ticket by the PDP—a move that fractured long-standing alliances—claimed that APC leaders had been infiltrated by moles working against his ambition.
‘I Control the Political Trajectory Here’
A visibly aggrieved Oke decried what he termed “betrayal” by close political allies and former loyalists, accusing them of colluding with adversaries to engineer his defeat.
“I have served these people with unwavering loyalty for twenty years, but today, I see the machinery of the state turning against me,” he told supporters.
“There is a coordinated, systemic plan to ensure my failure. I control the political trajectory of Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency. I am the most popular politician in the zone.”
The lawmaker warned that if the results do not reflect the reality of support on the ground, he would not await a concession call.
“If the numbers do not align with the support on the ground, my legal team is already seated, and we will take this to the highest court in the land,” he declared.
Allegations of Ballot Manipulation and Infiltration
Oke further alleged that opponents were collaborating with insiders to hijack and divert sensitive electoral materials to rural strongholds favouring his rival, facilitating ballot-stuffing.
He also claimed that the Ijesa North APC chapter had been heavily infiltrated by spies and moles, creating an atmosphere of deep distrust between himself and party chieftains.
Elements within the party leadership, he said, were engaging in manoeuvres designed to make APC members work against him.
While the lawmaker provided no documentary evidence to support his claims of widespread complicity, he insisted that his intelligence network confirmed a plot to force his political retirement.
Last-Minute Appeal to Loyalists
Despite his expressed distrust of the local party structure, Oke concluded by appealing to his core loyalists to stay the course and work tirelessly to deliver victory for the APC.
The development sets the stage for a potentially contentious electoral contest in the constituency, with legal challenges looming should the lawmaker fail to secure a sixth term.