APC Vows To Reclaim Osun, Says Election Litmus Test For 2027

The All Progressives Congress (APC), has declared that nothing will stop it from taking over the Osun Government House at the governorship election holding in the state on August 15.

APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda made the declaration while inaugurating the party’s National Campaign Council for Osun state governorship in Abuja yesterday.

The Council has the governor of Imo state and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma as chairman; Yobe state governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and  House of Representatives Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen as co-chairmen.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political and Other Matters, Hon. Ibrahim Kabir Masari serves as deputy chairman while Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin is secretary of the council.

It comprised eminent party leaders, governors, members of the National Working Committee, Principal officers of the National Assembly, ministers, federal and state legislators.

The APC national chairman said, members of the council had been carefully selected to ensure that the party mobilise human as well as material resources and ensure that the election is properly coordinated for its victory.

He said APC has all it takes to win elections in Nigeria from councillorship, local government, National Assembly, House of Assembly, governorship and ultimately presidential election in 2027.

Yilwatda said the Osun governorship polls is a litmus test for the 2027 general election which would measure the party’s preparedness ahead of next year’s contest.

“Looking at the calibre of people we have selected in this room from the governors to members of the National Assembly, members of the National Working Committee and all the committees represented here nothing will stop us from taking over the Government House on August 15, 2026.

“With this assurance and confidence, I stand here proud and privileged to head a party that has the machinery, the will and the capacity to win elections at all levels.

“Today’s exercise is one of our major tests. Coming to the South-West, this is the last governorship election before the 2027 general election. This will be our litmus test. It will measure our level of preparedness for 2027.

“This will be our practice ground. It will be our rehearsal for the political machine we are preparing for 2027. That is why winning the Osun election is a must for the APC. The party will mobilise resources, coordinate our people and move into Osun in large numbers after this inauguration,” he added.

In his acceptance speech on behalf of the council, Uzodinma promised to return Osun to the progressive fold and secure a decisive, peaceful and credible victory for the APC governorship candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.

Uzodimma stated that the council will run issue-based, evidence-driven and respectful campaign hinged on the achievements of the APC-led federal government under President Bola Tinubu and on the enduring performance of progressive governance across the states.

“These records demonstrate that progressive governance is not an abstract slogan. It is a practical philosophy that transforms public trust into infrastructure, education, healthcare, security, opportunity and human dignity.

“The APC approaches this election as the most coordinated, focused and prepared political party. Readiness, however, is measured not only by the size of our rallies but by the clarity of our message, the discipline of our organisation and the depth of our connection with the electorate.

“We will reach the people where they live and work, across communities, local government areas, wards and polling units. We will engage workers. We will engage farmers. We will engage market women, artisans, professionals, young people, traditional and religious leaders, and persons with disabilities.

“We will not be distracted or intimidated by opposition blackmail, misinformation or manufactured outrage on social media or anywhere else. We will answer falsehood with facts. We will respond to insults with discipline, propaganda with performance and provocation with peace. Our strength will lie not only in the loudness of our voices but in the truth of our message and the effectiveness of our organisation.

“We are irrevocably committed to a peaceful, free and credible election. Democracy finds its highest meaning when citizens are persuaded by ideas, protected by peace and empowered to choose freely.

“No political ambition is worth the blood of any citizen. We will do everything lawfully possible to ensure that this election is peaceful and credible. Our campaign will be vigorous without violence, competitive without bitterness and confident without arrogance,” he added.

For his part, the APC governorship candidate for Osun state, Oyebamiji expressed appreciation to the party’s leadership for their efforts, saying his outings have shown that people of the state were eager to vote out the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

“Distinguished leaders, since my emergence as the governorship candidate of our great party last year, our campaign team, with the active participation of my co-aspirants, who have taken up critical roles, has taken our message of prosperity, good governance and Renewed Hope to every corner of Osun state.

“In the course of this journey, we have engaged every segment of our society—our revered traditional rulers, private sector operators, market men and women, students, artisans, professionals, religious leaders, women and youths.

“Across all these engagements, one message has been consistent and clear: the people of Osun State can no longer afford to endure another day of the current administration in the state beyond November 27, 2026.

“The state is ready for the All Progressives Congress to complete the rescue mission and return Osun to the path of progressive governance, responsible leadership and sustainable development,” he stated.