The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, on Thursday declared that “nothing will stop” the ruling party from reclaiming Osun State, describing the August 15, 2026 governorship election as a crucial “test run” and dress rehearsal for the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the inauguration of the APC National Campaign Council for the Osun governorship election at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, Yilwatda said the party had assembled some of Nigeria’s most experienced political figures to drive an intensive grassroots campaign aimed at returning the state to the progressive fold.
The APC chairman said the campaign council was carefully constituted from across the National Assembly, governors, ministers, deputy governors, former lawmakers, business leaders and other stakeholders to ensure effective mobilisation of both human and material resources. According to him, the Osun election would provide the first major assessment of the party’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections.
“This is the last governorship election before the 2027 general election. It will be our litmus test. It will measure our level of preparedness for 2027. It will be our practice ground and rehearsal for the political machine we are preparing for the next general election,” Yilwatda said.
He maintained that no political party in Nigeria possesses the depth of experience and organisational strength of the APC, citing the party’s large number of governors, federal and state lawmakers, local government chairmen, councillors and former elected officials. He added that the influx of politicians from other parties had further strengthened the APC ahead of future electoral contests.
Declaring the campaign council inaugurated, Yilwatda likened its members to “political heavyweights” capable of overwhelming the opposition. “Nothing will stop us from taking over the Government House on August 15,” he declared, adding that the party would embark on aggressive house-to-house and person-to-person campaigns across all communities in Osun State. He said governors and party leaders from across the six geopolitical zones would participate in the mobilisation effort, while women and youth groups would play central roles in reaching voters at the grassroots.
Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated council, its chairman and Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, assured the party leadership that members would justify the confidence reposed in them by delivering a disciplined, issue-based and peaceful campaign. He described the assignment as a solemn obligation to the APC, democracy and the people of Osun State.
Uzodimma said the campaign would focus on engaging voters across communities, local government areas, wards and polling units while highlighting the achievements of the APC-led Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He stressed that the council would respond to opposition attacks with facts rather than propaganda and would conduct its activities without violence or bitterness.
“Our campaign will be vigorous without violence, competitive without bitterness and confident without arrogance. We shall organise, mobilise and deliver victory by the grace of God and the democratic will of the people,” he said.
The APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), thanked President Tinubu, the party leadership and members of the campaign council for their commitment to the Osun contest, saying their appointment had generated excitement among party supporters across the state.
Oyebamiji said his campaign had penetrated all 30 local government areas, 332 wards and 3,762 polling units, engaging traditional rulers, market women, youths, artisans, professionals and other critical stakeholders. He claimed that residents were eager for a change in government and expressed confidence that the APC would reclaim the state.
He also pointed to recent mobilisation activities, including a solidarity walk by thousands of women and youths led by former First Lady of Osun State, Kafayat Oyetola, as evidence of growing public support for the party.
“As an individual, I pledge my loyalty to the APC without reservation. The people of Osun are ready, the APC is ready, and together we will rescue Osun and return it to the path of responsible leadership, prosperity and sustainable development,” Oyebamiji said.
The APC had earlier named Governor Uzodimma as chairman of the National Campaign Council, with Ibrahim Kabir Masari as deputy chairman and Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau as secretary, alongside governors, ministers, federal lawmakers and other party leaders tasked with coordinating the campaign ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
