Osun 2026: ‘Don’t waste your money, go and rest’ – APC to Adeleke

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Abiola Ogundokun, has declared that Governor Ademola Adeleke’s second-term ambition has effectively come to an end following the emergence of Bola Oyebamiji as the party’s consensus candidate for the 2026 governorship election.

Ogundokun made the statement in Osogbo on Saturday after Oyebamiji, a former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), was formally adopted as the APC candidate by party stakeholders at a well-attended ceremony.

According to him, the adoption of Oyebamiji signals the beginning of the end of the Adeleke administration, urging the governor to step aside and allow what he described as a more competent leadership to take over the affairs of the state.

“With the emergence of Bola Oyebamiji as the APC candidate, the days of the Ademola Adeleke administration are numbered,” Ogundokun said. “I advise Dr Deji Adeleke not to waste his money in trying to secure a second term for his younger brother. It would be money down the drain. Ademola has done his bit; he should go and rest and allow someone more competent to take over.”

He further praised the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, describing him as a calm and foresighted leader whose leadership style, he said, was often misinterpreted as weakness.

Ogundokun, a former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct National Party of Nigeria, said the smooth emergence of Oyebamiji underscored the firm grip of the APC leadership under President Bola Tinubu. He contrasted this with what he described as internal crises plaguing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition parties in the state.

“The emergence of Oyebamiji is a big statement by the Osun APC. It shows that the party is solid and united. Opposition parties expected the process to divide us, but we have emerged stronger,” he added.

He also commended Oyetola for leading an inclusive consensus process that, according to him, could have destabilised the party under a less patient leader.

“Through dialogue, constructive criticism and fairness, Oyetola led the party through the consensus process. I commend all the aspirants for allowing party supremacy to prevail,” Ogundokun said.

The APC chieftain stated that the party’s major task ahead was to reclaim Osun from the Adeleke administration to enable residents enjoy what he described as genuine dividends of democracy similar to those recorded during the Oyetola administration.

Ogundokun also called on Nigerians to continue supporting President Tinubu’s administration, saying available economic indicators pointed to gradual recovery.

“Fuel prices are crashing, fuel scarcity is no longer an issue, infrastructure projects are ongoing, and more funds are being committed to education and health. Insecurity is being tackled with increased funding and recruitment,” he said.