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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
The emergence of Bola Oyebamiji as the governorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has sparked a war of words between the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Governor Ademola Adeleke, in a statement released by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Sunday, declared: “I will beat Oyebamiji by the might of God and the people.” He criticised Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, describing his optimism about a potential victory as “wishful thinking” and indicative of the APC’s “deep level of unpopularity” in Osun.
Adeleke labelled Oyetola’s previous regime an “anti-people era”, lamenting the state of affairs he said he inherited on taking office in 2022. He described that period as a “dark page in Osun’s socio-political history”, insisting it is a time the populace does not wish to see revisited.
Expressing confidence in support for his re-election, Adeleke accused the APC of relying on “anti-democratic activities” instead of engaging directly with voters. “If you are sure you have the votes of the people, why are you deploying anti-democratic means to stop the unstoppable will of our people?” he queried.
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Responding, the APC, through its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, accused Adeleke of displaying anxiety over Oyebamiji’s candidacy. The party claimed that the people of Osun were weary of the governor’s public appearances and urged him to begin preparing his handover notes.
“Governor Adeleke should understand that the people of Osun are no longer willing to be taken for granted by his gaffes and inadequate performance over the past three years,” the APC stated. It criticised Adeleke for claiming popularity through what it described as “influenced and skewed” social media narratives.
The statement also challenged Adeleke’s governance, citing the sacking of teachers employed by the previous administration, and reaffirmed the party’s commitment to Oyebamiji as a serious contender for the 8 August 2026 election.
“The people of Osun State are tired of mere edifices that serve as public schools without teachers,” the APC asserted. The party advised Adeleke to start drafting his handover note, arguing that the factors which favoured him in the 2022 election are no longer applicable.
