APC ‘scores own goal’ with Wole Oke appointment, opposition predicts easy Osun poll victory

The All Progressives Congress (APC) may have undermined its own chances ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State following the appointment of Wole Oke as Director General of its campaign team, according to Pelumi Olajengbesi, who described the decision as a costly political miscalculation.

Olajengbesi, an Accord Party chieftain and convener of the Imole Grassroots Mobilisation Network, said in a statement on Tuesday that the ruling party had effectively “scored an own goal” by placing its campaign in the hands of a politician he claims lacks electoral influence and a record of impactful representation. He argued that the move has further weakened the prospects of the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, making defeat in the forthcoming poll “cheaper and easier.”

The criticism comes amid heightened political activity in Osun State, where incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke is seeking re-election under a wave of grassroots support, according to his backers. Olajengbesi alleged that Oke, who has represented Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives for over two decades, has failed to deliver meaningful development to his constituents, thereby diminishing his credibility as a campaign leader in a high-stakes election.

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He also took aim at comments attributed to Oke, in which the newly appointed campaign chief reportedly suggested that Adeleke should begin preparing to leave office. Olajengbesi dismissed the remarks as both undemocratic and misleading, stressing that the power to remove a sitting governor rests solely with the electorate through the ballot box.

“Only the people of Osun State have the constitutional authority to determine who governs them,” he said, warning that any insinuation of alternative means of removing an elected leader raises concerns about potential electoral malpractice. He added that such claims, if taken seriously, could undermine public confidence in the integrity of the democratic process.

Olajengbesi further maintained that Governor Adeleke enjoys widespread approval due to what he described as tangible achievements across sectors, including infrastructure, social services, and governance reforms. He argued that despite fiscal constraints, particularly what he termed federal “asphyxiation” of local government revenues, the administration has delivered visible improvements that resonate with voters.

Drawing parallels with the 2022 governorship election, Olajengbesi recalled how former governor Gboyega Oyetola was defeated despite incumbency, suggesting that the APC faces a similar electoral setback if current dynamics persist. He insisted that the electorate has “seen light” after years of APC governance and is unlikely to revert to what he described as a period of stagnation.