A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has fired a salvo at Governor Ademola Adeleke, declaring that he should step aside and “go and rest” as the state gears up for the 2026 governorship election.
The APC stalwart, whose identity aligns with ongoing intra-party rhetoric amid rising political tensions, made the bold statement during a recent public engagement, signaling the early intensification of campaign battles in the Southwest state. This comes against the backdrop of Adeleke’s ongoing tenure, marked by both accolades for infrastructure projects and criticisms over governance style, fiscal management, and policy implementation since he assumed office in November 2022 following a Supreme Court affirmation of his victory.
In a pointed rebuke, the APC chieftain dismissed Adeleke’s reelection ambitions outright. “Osun 2026: Adeleke should go and rest, says APC chieftain,” he proclaimed, echoing the headline-grabbing tone of recent political discourse. The remark underscores the APC’s strategy to portray Adeleke’s administration as fatigued and ineffective, positioning the party— which governed Osun for over a decade under former Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his successor, Adegboyega Oyetola—as the viable alternative.
Delving deeper into his critique, the chieftain lambasted the governor’s performance, accusing him of failing to deliver tangible dividends of democracy. “Adeleke has not done anything,” he asserted bluntly, a quotation that has since reverberated across social media and political circles.
He further challenged Adeleke’s administration: “What has Adeleke done in Osun? Nothing.”
The APC leader highlighted perceived shortcomings in critical sectors, painting a picture of stagnation under Adeleke’s watch. “No road, no school, no hospital,” he enumerated, listing what he views as glaring omissions in infrastructure, education, and healthcare—areas where Osun has historically invested heavily. This line of attack taps into longstanding voter concerns in the agrarian state, where rural roads, public schools, and primary healthcare remain pivotal election issues.
The chieftain did not spare Adeleke’s much-publicized dance flair, weaving it into a broader narrative of unserious leadership. “All we see is dancing Governor,” he quipped, referencing viral videos of the governor’s energetic performances at public events. This jab aims to contrast Adeleke’s charismatic, entertainment-infused persona—rooted in his pre-political career as a musician and entertainment mogul—with the APC’s image of disciplined governance.
Escalating his rhetoric, the APC figure invoked spiritual and fatalistic undertones to underscore the inevitability of change. “It is written that PDP/Accord party will never win Osun again,” he declared emphatically, framing the 2026 contest as divinely ordained. “Almighty Allah has written it. No shaking,” he added, invoking religious imagery resonant in Nigeria’s Southwest, where Muslim and Christian voters coexist amid a history of faith-influenced politics.
This outburst occurs as Osun’s political landscape heats up. The APC, still smarting from its 2022 loss to Adeleke, has been regrouping under Oyetola’s federal influence as Minister of Marine and Blue Economy. Meanwhile, Adeleke’s PDP touts achievements like road rehabilitations, school feeding programs, and debt restructuring inherited from the previous administration. Recent polls and observer analyses suggest a tight race, with voter turnout and youth mobilization as kingmakers.
Political analysts view the APC chieftain’s comments as a preemptive strike to rally the party’s base and erode Adeleke’s popularity. “Such direct, quotable attacks are classic opposition playbook in Nigerian state elections,” noted one Osun-based commentator, speaking on condition of anonymity.
