Osun poll: APC claims internal wrangling caused defeat — Says party took Adeleke for granted
By Dayo Johnson, Dapo Akinrefon, Shina Abubakar & Cynthia Alo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has acknowledged that internal conflicts and dissatisfaction regarding its candidate played significant roles in its loss during the 2026 Osun State governorship election. The party characterized the defeat as a crucial lesson as it prepares for the upcoming 2027 general election.
During an interview on the ARISE Morning Show, APC chieftain Farouk Aliyu stated that the party “defeated itself” in Osun State, despite significant investments of resources and effort to secure victory. The election was won by Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, who garnered 511,677 votes to secure a second term.
Aliyu pointed to disagreements among party members concerning the candidate selection as a key factor impacting the APC’s performance. He noted that some members refused to campaign for the party due to their discontent with the chosen candidate.
“We did everything humanly possible to win the election. There is a lot of internal wrangling among our members in Osun State. Some were unhappy with our candidate,” Aliyu said.
He emphasized the necessity for the party to ensure that its candidates receive broad support in future elections. “Some members did not fulfill their obligations out of anger at our candidate. That is the major internal problem we had; the APC defeated itself in Osun State,” he remarked.
Aliyu refrained from naming specific party officials held accountable for the loss, insisting that these issues should be addressed internally. He further criticized the APC for underestimating the Osun electorate, suggesting that some members believed federal influence alone would ensure electoral success.
“Some thought the federal government would just come in and write the results. Our members and supporters took Adeleke and his movement for granted,” Aliyu said. He noted that the party failed to execute necessary campaign strategies, assuming victory was certain.
Additionally, he expressed discontent with remarks made by APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru during the campaign, suggesting they contributed to the party’s defeat.
Aliyu, however, commended President Bola Tinubu for refraining from using federal power to sway the election results and praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its transparent results reporting through the IReV portal.
In related developments, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Olabode George, Anambra State Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization Afenifere extended their congratulations to Adeleke on his re-election.
During a congratulatory visit to Adeleke’s residence in Ede, Obasanjo urged the governor to maintain good governance and prioritize the needs of his constituents. “Continue to deliver good governance. Continue to meet the needs of your people,” he advised.
In response, Adeleke expressed gratitude to the former president, assuring him of his commitment to not disappoint the people of Osun. “I promise never to disappoint God, the people of Osun, and all lovers of democracy who made our victory possible,” he said.
Governor Soludo remarked that Adeleke’s victory reflects the trust of Osun voters in his administration, while Afenifere hailed the election as free, fair, and credible, commending INEC and the voters for upholding the electorate’s will. The group emphasized the need for continued strengthening of the electoral system as the country approaches the 2027 elections.
Furthermore, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) called on Adeleke to lead an inclusive government that values equitable distribution of appointments.
Meanwhile, insights into the APC’s recent defeat reveal that the party lost by over 66,000 votes to the Accord Party’s Adeleke. Sources have indicated that intense strategic maneuvering surrounding the 2027 general elections distracted the APC’s focus on its gubernatorial campaign.
As party leaders campaigned in Osun State, some APC strategists reportedly pursued efforts to unite the incumbent governor with the party’s framework for favorable outcomes in the forthcoming general elections. This strategic realignment sought to bolster the APC’s position in Osun ahead of the presidential race.
Reports suggest that during the peak of internal crises within the PDP, Adeleke considered aligning with the APC but faced opposition from influential factions within the party who believed he could be defeated in gubernatorial elections.
As stakeholders finalized campaign strategies on election day, there are claims that discussions were underway in the presidency regarding a potential partnership with Adeleke to mobilize votes for the APC in the 2027 elections. Anonymous sources within the APC indicated that some strategists departed the state early on election day, following instructions from the presidency, raising concerns within the party about their commitment to the campaign.
