By Aaron Ossai
The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) has dismissed claims by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, that the party’s deployment of governors, National Assembly members, local government chairmen and other political figures will secure victory for its candidate in the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election.
Reacting to the APC chairman’s “trailer versus Keke Napep” analogy, the Council described the remark as politically arrogant and evidence that the APC leadership has failed to appreciate the realities of Osun politics.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of the Imole Campaign Council, Rep. Bamidele Salam, the Council maintained that elections are decided by voters rather than the number of political office holders a party can mobilize.
According to the statement, the people of Osun are capable of making independent electoral decisions based on the performance of the incumbent administration, rather than the influence of political figures from outside the state.
“The people of Osun State are not waiting for political heavyweights from outside the state to decide their future. They are capable of making their own independent choice based on the performance of the government in power,” the statement read.
The council argued that the August 15 governorship election would be a contest between Governor Ademola Adeleke, whom it described as a performing leader with widespread public support, and the APC candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, whom it claimed is yet to gain broad acceptance among voters.
It attributed Governor Adeleke’s popularity to what it described as his administration’s achievements in road infrastructure, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare, water supply, agriculture and youth empowerment.
The Council further alleged that the APC’s reliance on prominent political figures from outside Osun reflected the weakness of its governorship candidate, insisting that the party should instead focus on presenting its plans and policies to the electorate.
It urged the APC to conduct an issue-based campaign and respect the intelligence of Osun voters by offering credible alternatives rather than emphasizing political structures and external mobilization.
