Osun APC Rejects Governor Adeleke’s ‘Federal Might’ Claims; Insists on Merit-Based Victory for 2026 Polls

Osun APC dismisses Governor Adeleke’s "federal might" allegations for the 2026 election. Discover the latest on AMBO's candidacy and high-profile PDP defections.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 16, 2026, 4:21 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Naija News

A War of Words Over Electoral Integrity

Political tensions in Osun State have escalated following a series of public exchanges between Governor Ademola Adeleke and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The friction stems from Adeleke’s recent assertion that the opposition plans to manipulate the upcoming governorship election, scheduled for August 15, 2026, by deploying "federal might." In a swift rebuttal issued on Sunday, March 15, the APC categorized these allegations as baseless fear-mongering intended to provide a preemptive excuse for the Governor's potential defeat. The party maintained that its strategy is rooted in grassroots mobilization rather than administrative interference.

APC Cites Strategic Mobilization Over State Influence

Kola Olabisi, the APC’s Director of Media and Information, stated that the party has no intention of utilizing unlawful means to influence the electoral outcome. He emphasized that the party’s confidence stems from its strategic planning and the growing public support for its agenda. Olabisi argued that the Governor's remarks, made during a stakeholders' meeting with the Accord Party, reflect a misunderstanding of the APC's legitimate political activities. He reiterated that the party believes it can win the 2026 contest convincingly through a free and fair process, dismissing the "federal might" narrative as a distraction from the state's governance issues.

Shifting Political Alliances in Osun State

A central pillar of the APC’s defense is the recent influx of seasoned politicians into its ranks. The party pointed to the defections of prominent figures such as Shuaib Oyedokun, Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, and Wole Oke as evidence of shifting political alignments that favor the opposition. Furthermore, the inclusion of Dotun Babayemi and Akin Ogunbiyi into the APC fold has significantly boosted the party’s campaign infrastructure. According to the APC, these movements demonstrate a loss of confidence in the current administration’s structure, providing a more plausible explanation for the party’s rising momentum than any alleged federal backing.