The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of using intermediaries to attack the party’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
The claims were made in a statement signed by the APC State Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, and obtained on Sunday in Osogbo.
Lawal alleged that Adeleke and his supporters have “become aggressive due to their disadvantaged position in the state’s political landscape.”
He said, “We have observed coordinated efforts by Governor Adeleke and his allies to sponsor writers or directly target our party leaders, including His Excellency Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, and Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, who emerged as our governorship candidate in a smooth consensus primary last Saturday.”
The APC chairman further accused Adeleke’s camp of being preoccupied with “fruitless attempts” to conceal what he described as the failures of Adeleke’s administration, claiming these efforts stem from “poor planning and ineffective leadership.”
Lawal warned, “Governor Adeleke and his cohorts should understand that neither Oyetola nor Oyebamiji are responsible for your poor political standing. Your impending defeat in the August 8, 2026 election is inevitable.”
He also questioned the performance of Adeleke’s government, asking, “Was it Oyetola or Oyebamiji who directed you to govern through deceit and subterfuge, resulting in failures across health, education, transport, security, welfare, social infrastructure, finance, local government, and chieftaincy matters?”
In response, Osun Accord Party chairman Victor Akande dismissed the APC’s allegations as signs of desperation.
“The rage, falsehoods, and incoherent attacks reflect frustration, not strength,” Akande said.
He highlighted the achievements of Adeleke’s administration compared to the APC era, noting improvements in workers’ welfare, consistent salary payments, and addressing arrears. He criticized the APC for the intermittent payment of half salaries during its rule, calling it a legacy of mismanagement.
“Osun workers remember the hardships under APC administrations. It is cowardly for Oyetola’s faction to deny history and evade responsibility,” Akande added.
Osun politics has remained highly competitive, particularly between the APC and PDP. In the 2022 governorship election, PDP’s Adeleke defeated incumbent APC Governor Oyetola with 403,371 votes to 375,027, ending the APC’s 12-year control of the state. Legal disputes over the election results extended into 2023, further heightening political tensions.
As preparations for the 2026 governorship election intensify, political rivalry is growing, with parties such as the APC and Accord Party actively positioning candidates and responding to criticisms, reflecting the deep-rooted contest in the state.
