The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed optimism about reclaiming Osun State in the forthcoming 2026 governorship election.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the election for August 8.
The incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, defeated former governor Gboyega Oyetola of the APC in the 2022 election.
Following an internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adeleke defected to the Accord Party, under which he is seeking a second term.
However, concerns have been raised over the party’s limited grassroots presence in the state, which observers say could affect his chances.
The forthcoming election is expected to be highly competitive, evolving into a three-horse race with the emergence of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, remains a significant political figure in Osun politics.
Speaking during a nationwide media chat on Wednesday, APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, acknowledged that the poll would be keenly contested.
“The election of Osun is going to be tough. As far as it may be, we’re very confident that, with the strategy we’re adopting, setting up a grassroots campaign is a part of it,” he said.
Basiru disclosed that the party had begun mobilising its structures across the state, including federal constituencies, senatorial districts, and key groups.
“As at the time I was in Osun, I was able to meet with the federal constituency structure, the senatorial campaign structure and of course the state campaign structure. I was also able to meet with the women and student groups campaigning for our party,” he said.
The APC national secretary added that the party would rely on a data-driven approach to secure victory.
“Without saying so much about strategy, we believe in a data-driven process to be able to ensure that we have a victory in that election,” he stated.