Osun guber: APC chairman inaugurates 292 campaign council

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, inaugurated on Tuesday a national campaign council of the party for the Osun State off-season election slated for August 15.

Addressing the team, which has Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, as Chairman, Professor Yilwatda described the next month’s election as a litmus test for the ruling party, as he noted that it would be the only governorship election that would precede the next general elections.

He said: “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 noted that members of the campaign council have been carefully chosen across geopolitical zones in order to enable the party to reach out to prospective voters in Osun State across the ethnic divide.

“By the time the governors in the South-West, South-South, and South-East each take responsibility for one senatorial district alongside National Assembly members, House of Assembly members, and local government chairmen, carrying out person-to-person campaigns across the state, and the governors from the North also come with their local government chairmen, councillors, House of Assembly members, and National Assembly members, we will conduct intensive grassroots campaigns.

“We will do person-to-person campaigns. We will go house to house. There is no tribe, no language, and no resident in Osun today—whether indigene or non-indigene—who does not have an APC member that can walk to his or her house, knock on the door, and persuade that person to support us so that we can win the election in 2026.

“That is why we selected members of this committee to represent all tribes, all languages, and all shades of opinion—from the polling units to every stakeholder represented here.

“We need to mobilise for this election, especially the women. That is why the Directorate of Women Affairs has a major responsibility. We need to mobilise women from door to door and house to house to ensure that we win this election in 2026.”

In his remarks, Governor Uzodimma thanked the APC National Working Committee for the confidence reposed in the team while assuring that they would work diligently to regain Osun State for the APC.

The Chairman of the PGF declared that the campaigns to be led by his team would be issue-based.

He also appealed to party leaders to bury their individual differences and work together with the party candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, to ensure victory.

He said: “This inauguration is another call to service, one that we are happy, ready and willing to undertake. Public responsibility is not a declaration; it is a covenant demanding sacrifice, discipline and measurable results. We therefore accept this assignment as a solemn obligation to our great party, to our democracy and to the good people of Osun State.

“This is a collective responsibility. Every member of this council, every leader, every member of our party and every progressive stakeholder has a vital role to play. There can be no spectator in a mission of this importance. Our unity must be our first campaign message because a united party is the strongest foundation for victory.

“Our assignment is clear: to listen to the people of Osun State, speak to their hopes and aspirations, earn their confidence and convince them to vote for the APC and our governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO. He is a tested, competent and people-centred candidate whose vision is anchored on prudent leadership, inclusive prosperity and renewed confidence in government.

“Our campaign will be issue-based, evidence-driven and respectful. It will rest on the achievements of the APC-led Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and on the enduring performance of progressive governance across our states.”

The party candidate, Asiwaju Oyebamiji, vowed that he was in the race to win, as he declared that the people of Osun State could not afford another four-year tenure for the incumbent and Accord Party candidate, Ademola Adeleke.

He said: “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.

“With less than two weeks to the election, I am delighted to report to our leaders that the people of Osun State have received our prosperity message with uncommon excitement. 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.”