APC planning to disrupt Osun poll — Adeleke

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has accused elements within the All Progressives Congress in the state of plotting to disrupt the August 15 governorship election, alleging fear of imminent defeat.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Wednesday, Adeleke claimed that some members of the opposition were bent on subverting the will of the people.

“Having seen clearly that Osun people have rejected them, they (elements in Osun APC) are now resorting to anti-democratic means in a last-ditch effort to secure power,” the statement read.

The governor also cited what he described as opinion surveys allegedly commissioned by the APC between late 2025 and March 2026, which he said showed the party’s popularity below 30 per cent, while his approval rating ranged between 68 and 72 per cent.

“This clearly shows that Governor Adeleke enjoys overwhelming support from the people. The opposition can already see the outcome ahead of August 15,” the statement added.

Adeleke further alleged that the opposition became unsettled following remarks attributed to Akin Ogunbiyi regarding the position of President Bola Tinubu on the Osun election.

“That reality unsettled the Oyetola/Ambo faction of the state APC. Once it became public that there would be no external manipulation of the electoral process, the opposition’s desperation deepened, leaving them with no option but to resort to failed schemes.

“They attempted to factionalise political platforms like the Accord, which also failed. Now, they are pushing for its deregistration. They will fail again. The opposition’s fear stems from the certainty that Osun people will overwhelmingly reject them at the polls.

“They are afraid of the people and the power of the ballot. That is why they are working tirelessly to undermine the democratic process and deny citizens their constitutional rights to vote and be voted for,” the statement read.

Reacting, Osun APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, dismissed the allegations, saying the governor was already anticipating defeat.

“This is simple arithmetic. Those who are somebody in their camp have all left. Look at Wole Oke, Fadahunsi, Ajilesoro, Dotun Babayemi, Akin Ogunbiyi and many others.

“So, what is left of their party? Apart from the fact that their party is unpopular, it is also spineless. The people of Osun should discountenance Adeleke because he doesn’t know what he is saying,” Olabisi said.