Osun APC Dismisses Claims of Federal Influence by Adeleke

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has rejected claims by Governor Ademola Adeleke that the party intends to rely on federal influence to manipulate the forthcoming governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026.

In a statement released on Sunday, APC’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, described the accusations as “unfounded” and intended to preempt a potential defeat.

The allegations followed comments made by Governor Adeleke at a stakeholders’ meeting of the Accord Party, during which he accused the APC of threatening to deploy federal authority during the poll.

“The opposition party has no intention of influencing the electoral process through unlawful means and believes it can win the election based on its growing support across the state,” Olabisi said.

He added that claims of reliance on federal might were “a mere figment of the imagination of some rumour mongers,” emphasising that the APC was focusing on legitimate political mobilisation and strategic planning to secure victory.

The party highlighted recent political developments, including defections from Governor Adeleke’s camp, as evidence of its strengthening position.

Among those cited were Shuaib Oyedokun, Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, Wole Oke, Dotun Babayemi, and Akin Ogunbiyi.

“Our governorship candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, is gaining increasing support across various communities,” Olabisi stated.

“He is a serious contender going into the August 2026 election to win convincingly without resorting to fraudulent means.”

Governor Adeleke, meanwhile, continued to caution against voter intimidation.

Addressing leaders and ward officials of the Accord Party across Osun’s 332 wards in Osogbo, he urged that federal authority should be used for governance rather than electoral interference.

“Federal might is for good governance, not election rigging,” Adeleke said, appealing to residents to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

He stressed that “only the votes of the people will determine who governs the state.”