By Comrade Samakin Abdul-Jeleel Abiodun
Politics, like football, is result-driven, no one backs a losing team. The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has lost two consecutive gubernatorial elections and, by political standards, should reflect deeply on why they were rejected at the polls.
It is illogical and misleading for anyone to suggest that Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke is planning to decamp to the APC. This claim is not only false but an insult to the collective intelligence of Osun citizens. Governor Adeleke enjoys widespread popularity and trust across the state; even among APC supporters who quietly acknowledge his impact.
Let’s speak frankly: the people of Osun have become politically enlightened. They now vote based on performance and integrity, not blind party loyalty. Governor Adeleke’s administration has made tangible progress across multiple sectors, earning the confidence and continued support of the electorate.
The era of APC governance in Osun, from 2018 to 2022 was marked by hardship and a lack of meaningful development. The people remember, and that memory fuels their present-day rejection of the APC. To suggest that Governor Adeleke, who won elections from the opposition, would now join the very party the people rejected, is to fundamentally misunderstand the current political climate.
Governor Adeleke is not just winning elections, he’s winning hearts with performance. Osun voters are standing behind a leader who delivers results, not slogans. This transcends party politics; it is about competence, compassion, and leadership that prioritizes people over power.
It is politically naïve and disingenuous for some APC members to peddle the idea that the Governor is decamping. Rather than engaging in such speculative and baseless narratives, the APC should focus on rebuilding trust with the electorate—something they lost due to poor governance.
Notably, even President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recognizes Governor Adeleke’s growing influence and popularity. If APC stakeholders in Osun fail to see this, perhaps they should revisit the electoral outcomes of 2018 and 2022. The record is clear: Governor Gboyega Oyetola contested twice against Adeleke and lost twice. His absence from the 2026 race is not coincidental; it is the result of political reality and a desire to avoid further embarrassment.
Instead of spinning falsehoods, Osun APC members should ask honest questions: Why was it impossible to rig the 2022 election? Why has Oyetola stepped back from the upcoming race? What exactly is the APC offering Osun people in 2026?
The 2026 gubernatorial election will likely be the most peaceful in Osun’s history not because of political neutrality, but because the people have already made up their minds. They are voting for proven performance, not recycled promises.
To be clear: Governor Ademola Adeleke is not joining the APC. He is focused on governance, development, and the welfare of Osun people. And come 2026, he is poised to defeat the APC once again on the strength of his performance.
We remain proud of Governor Adeleke’s achievements and stand with him in his mission to build a better Osun State.
Comrade Samakin Abdul-Jeleel Abiodun
Writing from Odeomu, Ayedaade Local Government Area
Osun West Senatorial District, Osun State
