The All Progressives Congress has intensified its final campaign activities in Osun State, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and other senior party figures converging on Osogbo for a major rally ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The gathering is part of the APC’s final mobilisation drive for its candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, as the party seeks to wrest control of the state from the incumbent administration.
Other prominent APC figures who joined the campaign activities included Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and House of Representatives member James Faleke.
The appearance of several governors and national political leaders underscored the importance the APC has attached to the Osun contest, particularly as the party seeks to strengthen its position in the South-West ahead of the next general election cycle.
APC makes final push for Oyebamiji
The rally in Osogbo represents the final phase of the APC’s official campaign for the August 15 governorship poll.
Oyebamiji emerged as the party’s candidate following its governorship primary in Osogbo and has since campaigned across the state, presenting himself as the candidate capable of providing a different direction for Osun.
The party’s national leadership has thrown its weight behind his candidacy, with senior figures travelling to the state to participate in the final mobilisation.
The campaign event is expected to bring together party leaders, governors, lawmakers, coordinators, grassroots organisers and supporters from the state’s 30 local government areas.
The mobilisation comes at a critical point in the contest, with the major candidates making their final appeals to voters before campaigning formally ends.
Campaign deadline reaches Osun parties
The rally was held on the final day permitted for official campaign activities.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had set Thursday, August 13, as the deadline for campaigns after the commission moved the governorship election from its earlier August 8 date to August 15.
The revised timetable has compressed the final stage of campaigning, increasing the importance of the last major rallies and meetings organised by the competing parties.
With the campaign period now closing, candidates and their supporters are expected to shift their focus from public rallies to election-day mobilisation, voter education and ensuring that their agents are present at polling locations.
Adeleke remains APC’s main target
The APC’s principal objective is to defeat incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking another term in office.
Adeleke is contesting under the Accord Party, while several other political parties are also fielding candidates.
The African Democratic Congress and the People’s Redemption Party are among the parties participating in the election, creating a contest involving multiple political platforms.
However, the campaign between Adeleke and Oyebamiji has attracted the greatest attention because of the political strength of the two major camps.
For the APC, defeating Adeleke would represent a significant return to power in a state where control of the governorship has changed hands between the major political blocs.
For Adeleke, victory would secure another term and strengthen his political standing within Osun and the wider South-West.
Election follows period of political tension
The final campaign rally comes after weeks of heightened political tension in Osun.
Political disagreements have increasingly centred on accusations of intimidation, the use of government institutions and the role of federal influence in the state election.
The Accord Party and its supporters have accused the APC of attempting to use federal power to place pressure on opposition forces.
The APC has rejected such allegations, while the competing political camps have continued to trade accusations as the election approaches.
The political environment has also been affected by developments involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Dispute over Osun government account
The freezing of the Osun State Government’s account by the EFCC became one of the major controversies in the final stage of the campaign.
The anti-graft agency reportedly took the action shortly before the election, triggering strong reactions from the state government and its political allies.
The development generated concerns about whether the action could affect the state government’s ability to carry out its normal financial operations at a politically sensitive time.
President Bola Tinubu subsequently intervened and directed that the account be unfrozen.
The intervention eased one aspect of the dispute but did not eliminate the wider political tension surrounding the election.
The issue has nevertheless become part of the broader political debate over the relationship between the Federal Government and the Osun State administration.
APC presents election as opportunity for change
The APC has been using its campaign to portray Oyebamiji as an alternative to Adeleke’s administration.
Party leaders have called on voters to support the APC candidate and have emphasised the importance of aligning the state with the Federal Government.
The presence of governors from several APC-controlled states at the Osogbo rally was also intended to demonstrate the party’s organisational strength and its commitment to winning the election.
Uzodimma, who chairs the Progressive Governors Forum, has played an important role in coordinating APC governors and strengthening the party’s campaign structures across states.
Akpabio’s participation similarly gives the rally national significance, reflecting the level of attention being paid to the Osun contest by the APC leadership.
Adeleke’s camp faces final test
While the APC has mobilised its national and state-level leadership, Adeleke’s campaign is also relying on his record in office and his existing political network.
The incumbent has spent the campaign highlighting projects and programmes implemented by his administration and urging voters to give him the opportunity to continue his work.
His supporters argue that the election should be decided primarily on the governor’s performance rather than on federal political influence.
The competing arguments have transformed the election into a broader debate over governance, political control and the relationship between Osun and Abuja.
What is at stake on August 15
The outcome of Saturday’s election will determine whether Osun remains under Adeleke or returns to APC control.
The result could also carry significance beyond the state because Osun is an important political battleground in the South-West.
A victory for Oyebamiji would strengthen the APC’s influence in the region and give the party additional momentum ahead of future elections.
Adeleke’s re-election, on the other hand, would reinforce the opposition’s ability to retain power against a nationally dominant APC administration.
Smaller parties will also be looking to make an impact, particularly the ADC and PRP, whose candidates are seeking to attract voters dissatisfied with the two leading camps.
Attention now turns to election day
With the official campaign period ending, the political parties must now turn their attention to the final stages of election preparation.
The focus will shift towards voter mobilisation, polling-unit agents, logistics and monitoring of the electoral process.
For the APC, the Osogbo mega rally provides the final opportunity to display its organisational strength before voters cast their ballots.
For Adeleke and the other candidates, the remaining hours provide an opportunity to consolidate their support and encourage voters to participate peacefully.
The election will ultimately be decided at the ballot box, despite the intense political contest that has preceded it.
As Osun prepares to vote on August 15, the heavy presence of national APC leaders in Osogbo signals just how important the party considers the state — and how determined it is to make its final campaign push count.
