Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has accused elements within the All Progressives Congress (APC) of planning to disrupt the state’s governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026, citing fear of electoral defeat as the motive. In a statement released on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke’s camp alleged that the opposition party is resorting to anti-democratic tactics to undermine the democratic process. The governor’s office claimed that internal assessments within the APC revealed a significant drop in public support, prompting desperate measures to cling to power.
According to the statement, opinion surveys conducted between late 2025 and March 2026 showed the APC’s popularity falling below 30 per cent, while Governor Adeleke’s approval rating remained strong, ranging between 68 and 72 per cent. The figures, the governor’s camp argued, reflect overwhelming public confidence in his leadership and foreshadow a clear outcome in the upcoming election. “Having seen clearly that Osun people have rejected them, they are now resorting to anti-democratic means in a last-ditch effort to secure power,” the statement read.
The governor’s office also pointed to recent remarks by Akin Ogunbiyi, a prominent APC figure, regarding President Bola Tinubu’s position as a catalyst for internal unrest within the party. These comments, Adeleke’s team claimed, have intensified tensions, especially among factions loyal to former governor Adegboyega Oyetola, leading to what they described as reckless political manoeuvres. The statement further accused the APC of attempting to destabilise other political parties and push for their deregistration after failing to consolidate control.
In response, the Osun APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, dismissed the allegations as baseless and reflective of growing anxiety within the governor’s camp. He highlighted the exodus of key figures from Adeleke’s party, including Wole Oke, Fadahunsi, Ajilesoro, Dotun Babayemi, and Akin Ogunbiyi, as evidence of its weakening structure. “This is simple arithmetic. Those eminent politicians in their camp have all left,” Olabisi stated. He added that the governor’s party is not only unpopular but also “spineless,” urging the people of Osun to disregard Adeleke’s claims as unfounded.
The exchange underscores deepening political rifts ahead of the 2026 governorship election, with both sides trading accusations of instability and misrepresentation. As the election draws nearer, the stakes continue to rise, and public perception will play a crucial role in determining the outcome. The coming months will likely see intensified campaigns and strategic positioning from both parties as they vie for voter support in Osun State.
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