“Bear the consequences”: Outrage trails APC campaign chief’s threat ahead of Osun poll

A controversial remark by Wole Oke, the Director General of the Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign, has sparked widespread backlash ahead of the August 15, 2026 election, with opposition figures and concerned citizens condemning what they describe as a veiled threat against voters not aligned with Bola Tinubu and the APC.

The backlash followed a viral video recorded on Wednesday in Esa Oke, where Oke, a long-serving member of the House of Representatives representing Obokun-Oriade, addressed party supporters and warned that “whoever is not in Tinubu’s camp should bear the consequences of his or her action.” Although he did not elaborate on what those consequences might entail, the statement has been widely interpreted by critics as an attempt to intimidate voters ahead of the poll. Oke, however, reaffirmed his political loyalty, stating, “I am in Tinubu’s camp.”

The remark has since ignited sharp reactions from opposition figures, particularly within the Accord Party, who argue that such rhetoric undermines democratic principles. Pelumi Olajengbesi, a chieftain of the party who first shared the video online, dismissed the comment as an “empty threat,” insisting that Osun voters cannot be coerced into political alignment. According to him, “those who use threats to achieve political gains are very weak, insecure and cowardly,” adding that the electorate in Ijesaland would ultimately determine the outcome of the election through their votes.

Public reaction has also been swift and critical. Several citizens who commented on the video described the statement as counterproductive, noting that threats real or perceived often alienate voters rather than win their support. A Facebook user, Fawole Tajudeen, argued that “no amount of threats can change people’s direction,” while Aderonke Gbadamosi maintained that Osun voters are “civil and not blind to development,” stressing that intimidation would not deter them from participating in the electoral process.

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Other commentators echoed similar sentiments, warning that the use of fear tactics reflects a lack of genuine connection with the electorate. Damilare Adeniyi stated that “the power of the masses surpasses all these threats,” expressing confidence that voters would turn out en masse to defend their interests. Gbenga Ajiboso added that “resorting to intimidation and fear tactics only shows a lack of genuine connection with the people,” while Saheed Junaid argued that invoking presidential influence to threaten voters exposes political weakness. Another commentator, Agboola Eri-Ola, went further by calling the attention of law enforcement authorities to the video, urging them to monitor the situation.

Political observers note that the controversy comes at a critical moment in the Osun governorship race, which is shaping up to be highly competitive. The candidate of the APC, Bola Oyebamiji, is set to challenge incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking re-election amid claims by his supporters of ongoing development and improved governance in the state. Analysts warn that inflammatory rhetoric could heighten tensions and deepen political divisions if not carefully managed.

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With campaigns gathering momentum, stakeholders have continued to emphasize the need for issue-based engagement and peaceful conduct. Many insist that maintaining public confidence in the electoral process will be crucial to ensuring a credible and widely accepted outcome in the forthcoming election.