The All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared its readiness to dominate the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026, asserting that no opposition party, including the Accord Party led by incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, can withstand its political might. At the inauguration of the Osun State APC Governorship Campaign Council in Abuja on Tuesday, National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda made a bold statement, comparing the party’s strength to a trailer facing a keke napep — a metaphor underscoring the overwhelming advantage APC claims to possess. He emphasized that the party’s campaign structure includes high-profile figures such as governors, National Assembly members, Federal Executive Council (FEC) members, deputy governors, past and present lawmakers, and key stakeholders from the business community.
Yilwatda revealed that the campaign council was strategically assembled to ensure maximum mobilization across Osun State. He noted that governors from the South-West, South-South, and South-East regions would each oversee a senatorial district, working alongside National Assembly members, House of Assembly representatives, and local government chairmen. Governors from the Northern region are also set to contribute by deploying their local government chairmen, councillors, and lawmakers to support grassroots campaigning. This extensive network, according to Yilwatda, is designed to ensure that APC’s message reaches every corner of the state and that voter turnout is maximized.
The APC National Chairman described the 2026 Osun governorship election as a critical litmus test for the party’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections. He positioned the contest as more than just a state-level race — a rehearsal for the broader political machinery the party is building for national elections. The campaign council’s structure reflects a deliberate effort to consolidate power across different political and administrative tiers, ensuring that APC’s influence is felt at both the top and grassroots levels. The party’s strategy appears to focus on leveraging its national leadership and resource base to counter the incumbent’s local popularity and organizational strength.
Yilwatda’s comments come amid growing political tension in Osun State, where Governor Adeleke’s re-election bid is seen as a major challenge to APC’s dominance. The APC’s confidence stems from its belief in its organizational depth and the calibre of leaders it is deploying. As the 2026 election approaches, the party’s campaign structure and messaging will be closely watched by political analysts and voters alike. The outcome in Osun could set a precedent for how APC approaches future elections across Nigeria.
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