APC inaugurates Osun campaign council, declares election ‘must-win’
July 28, 2026 5:46 pm
APC National Chairman (Second from left), Prof Nentawe Yilwatda and other party chieftains at the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, Tuesday. Credit: APC
The All Progressives Congress on Tuesday inaugurated its national campaign council for the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election, declaring the poll a “must-win” contest and a crucial test of the party’s readiness for the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said the party would deploy its extensive political structures, grassroots network and campaign machinery to secure victory for its governorship candidate, Munirudeen Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO.
The 276-member campaign council is chaired by Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Mr Hope Uzodimma.
Yilwatda said the council was carefully constituted to mobilise the human and material resources required to ensure victory in the election.
Describing the APC as Nigeria’s most formidable political party, he said it possessed the experience, leadership and nationwide structures needed to win elections at every level.
“No political party can boast of the number of governors, National Assembly members, local government chairmen, councillors, former governors and former National Assembly members that we have. We have them in abundance.
“The APC has all it takes to win elections in Nigeria — from councillorship and local government elections to governorship and presidential elections in 2027,” he said.
Yilwatda described the Osun governorship election as the party’s final electoral outing before the 2027 general elections, saying it would serve as a rehearsal for the nationwide campaigns ahead.
“This is our litmus test. It will measure our level of preparedness for 2027. It will be our practice ground and our rehearsal for the political machine we are preparing for the general election.
“That is why winning the Osun election is a must for the APC,” he added.
The APC chairman disclosed that the party would embark on intensive person-to-person and house-to-house campaigns across the state, leveraging its elected officials and party structures to mobilise support in every community.
“We will do person-to-person campaigns. We will go house to house. There is no tribe, no language and no resident in Osun — whether indigene or non-indigene — who does not have an APC member that can knock on the door and persuade that person to support us,” he stressed.
He added that governors from across the six geopolitical zones, alongside members of the National Assembly, state lawmakers, local government chairmen and councillors, would participate in the grassroots mobilisation drive.
Yilwatda also said the composition of the campaign council reflected the diversity of Osun State, with particular emphasis on mobilising women and other critical voting blocs.
Speaking on behalf of the campaign council, Uzodimma pledged the commitment of members to deliver victory for the APC and its candidate through peaceful, issue-based campaigns.
He described the inauguration as “a call to service” and urged every party member to see the election as a collective responsibility.
“Our assignment is clear: to listen to the people of Osun State, speak to their hopes and aspirations, earn their confidence and convince them to vote for the APC and our governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.
“Our unity must be our first campaign message because a united party is the strongest foundation for victory,” he said.
Uzodimma said the campaign would highlight the achievements of the APC-led Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu and the performance of APC administrations across the country.
He also promised that the campaign would be peaceful and issues-driven.
“We will not be distracted or intimidated by opposition blackmail, misinformation or manufactured outrage on social media. We will answer falsehood with facts, propaganda with performance and provocation with peace,” he pledged.
The governorship candidate, Oyebamiji, said the party had intensified grassroots consultations across Osun State, engaging traditional rulers, market leaders, youths, students, artisans, professionals, women and religious leaders.
According to him, the feedback from residents had strengthened the party’s confidence ahead of the election.
“Across these engagements, one message has been consistent and clear: the people of Osun State can no longer afford another day of the current administration beyond November 27, 2026.
“With less than two weeks to the election, I am delighted to report that our prosperity message has been received with uncommon excitement. Osun is ready to return to the path of progressive governance, responsible leadership and sustainable development,” he said.
Oyebamiji said the APC’s support base continued to expand across the state’s three senatorial districts, nine federal constituencies, 30 local government areas, 332 political wards and 3,762 polling units.
He expressed optimism that the party would reclaim the governorship through lawful and democratic means.
The inauguration was attended by APC pioneer National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; former National Secretary of the party, Senator Iyiola Omisore; Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru; and other senior party leaders.
Dirisu Yakubu is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience covering parliament, politics, and development issues. He specializes in reporting that provides context and insight into legislative and governance matters. Dirisu’s work reflects extensive newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate and impactful journalism.
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