Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, said he was rest assured that he would defeat the All Progressives Congress and its governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, in the 2026 gubernatorial election.
Speaking for Adeleke on Sunday, his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, dismissed the chances of victory being projected by former Governor Gboyega Oyetola and Oyebamiji.
He described their expectation of winning the election as “wishful thinking, illusory grandstanding and a failure to accept the deep level of unpopularity of APC among the people of Osun state”.
Governor Adeleke described the period of Oyetola’s administration as one that worked against the people of Osun State.
He recalled the situation he met when he assumed office in 2022, describing that era as “a dark page in Osun socio-political history, a period neither labour nor any segment of our population wants re-enacted.”
The governor said Oyetola, now the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, and Bola Oyebamiji played key roles in policies that pushed the state into serious economic difficulties.
He said the period was marked by half salaries, heavy debts and poor delivery of public services.
Adeleke, who said there was a strong mass movement supporting his re-election, accused the APC and its candidate of focusing on anti-democratic actions instead of presenting their plans to the people.
He said, “If you are sure you have the votes of the people, why are you deploying anti-democratic means in stopping the unstoppable will of our people?
“It is shameful and reprehensible that those who claim to be popular are dead scared to face the people in a free and fair election.
“A clear misreading of the political reality in Osun State, the people of the State are fully satisfied with the people-oriented and responsive governance being delivered by the present administration.
“Osun citizens are enjoying a government that prioritises workers’ welfare, infrastructure renewal, healthcare delivery, education, and inclusive development, and therefore have no desire to return to the era of hardship, neglect, and anti-people policies associated with the APC’s 12-year rule in the State.
“You and your proxy, now the APC’s governorship candidate, were central figures in the mismanagement that plunged Osun State into economic distress, characterised by half salaries, mounting debts, and poor service delivery to the people. Osun will not go back to the dark days.”
The governor added that his administration was already reversing the damage done in the past and restoring dignity to governance in the state.
He pointed to several awards and recognitions received by the administration, including the recent Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge award for the South West, as proof of his performance.
Adeleke further said the achievements recorded across key sectors had strengthened the trust and confidence of the people, who he believed were ready to protect the progress made through the ballot.
He reaffirmed his commitment to continuing the delivery of democratic benefits to the people and urged residents of Osun State to ignore political propaganda.
He assured them that his administration remained focused on people-centred development.
“As the August 8, 2026 gubernatorial election approaches, Osun people are fully aware that a vote for the APC and its candidate is a vote for a return to the failures of the past. Such a regression is one the people of Osun are not prepared to entertain,” the governor stated.
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