Politics
Osun 2026: APC Inaugurates 292-Member Campaign Council, Declares Victory a Must
Osun 2026: APC Inaugurates 292-Member Campaign Council, Declares Victory a Must
National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda describes the August 15 poll as a litmus test and rehearsal for the 2027 general elections
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, on Tuesday inaugurated a 292-member National Campaign Council for the party’s Osun State governorship election campaign, describing the upcoming poll as a critical litmus test that will determine the party’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections. The inauguration ceremony took place at the Transcorp Hilton Event Centre in Abuja, formally launching the APC’s campaign machinery for the Osun off-cycle governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026. The council, chaired by Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), Senator Hope Uzodimma, brings together the party’s top leadership in a comprehensive bid to reclaim Osun State from the ruling Accord Party.
Addressing the team at the inauguration, Professor Yilwatda emphasised the strategic importance of the Osun election, noting that it would be the only governorship election preceding the next general elections. He described the poll as a rehearsal for the political machinery the party is preparing for 2027, stressing that winning the Osun election is non-negotiable for the APC. “Today’s exercise is one of our major tests. Coming to the South-West, this is the last governorship election before the 2027 general election. This will be our litmus test. It will measure our level of preparedness for 2027,” Yilwatda declared. “This will be our practice ground. It will be our rehearsal for the political machine we are preparing for 2027. That is why winning the Osun election is a must for the APC. The party will mobilise resources, coordinate our people, and move into Osun in large numbers after this inauguration.”
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The APC National Chairman further explained that members of the campaign council were carefully selected across geopolitical zones to enable the party to reach out to prospective voters in Osun State across ethnic divides. He outlined a comprehensive grassroots strategy involving governors from the South-West, South-South, and South-East taking responsibility for one senatorial district each, alongside National Assembly members, House of Assembly members, and local government chairmen conducting person-to-person campaigns across the state. Governors from the North were also expected to join with their respective local government chairmen and legislators to intensify grassroots engagement.
Yilwatda emphasised the importance of house-to-house campaigns, stating that every resident of Osun State—whether indigene or non-indigene—has an APC member who can personally persuade them to support the party. He noted that the committee was carefully selected to represent all tribes, languages, and shades of opinion, from polling units to every stakeholder represented. He also called on the Directorate of Women Affairs to intensify efforts in mobilising women door-to-door to secure victory in the election.
In his remarks, Governor Hope Uzodimma thanked the APC National Working Committee for the confidence reposed in the team and assured that they would work diligently to regain Osun State for the APC. The PGF Chairman declared that the campaigns would be issue-based and evidence-driven, resting on the achievements of the APC-led Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the enduring performance of progressive governance across states. Uzodimma appealed to party leaders to bury their individual differences and work together with the party candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, to ensure victory. “Public responsibility is not a declaration; it is a covenant demanding sacrifice, discipline and measurable results. We therefore accept this assignment as a solemn obligation to our great party, to our democracy and to the good people of Osun State,” he stated.
According to the campaign council chairman, the assignment is clear: to listen to the people of Osun State, speak to their hopes and aspirations, earn their confidence and convince them to vote for the APC and its governorship candidate. “He is a tested, competent and people-centred candidate whose vision is anchored on prudent leadership, inclusive prosperity and renewed confidence in government,” Uzodimma said of Oyebamiji.
The party candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, vowed that he was in the race to win, declaring that the people of Osun State could not afford another four-year tenure for the incumbent, Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party. Oyebamiji reported that across engagements with traditional rulers, private sector operators, market men and women, students, artisans, religious leaders, women and youths, one message had been consistent: the people of Osun State can no longer endure another day of the current administration beyond November 27, 2026. “With less than two weeks to the election, I am delighted to report to our leaders that the people of Osun State have received our prosperity message with uncommon excitement. The state is ready for the All Progressives Congress to complete the rescue mission and return Osun to the path of progressive governance, responsible leadership and sustainable development,” Oyebamiji declared.
The National Campaign Council is composed of eminent party leaders, governors, members of the National Working Committee, principal officers of the National Assembly, ministers, federal and state legislators, and other key stakeholders drawn from across the country to drive the party’s campaign towards victory. Serving as co-chairmen alongside Uzodimma are Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political and Other Matters, Ibrahim Kabir Masari, serves as Deputy Chairman, while Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, is Secretary of the Council.
To ensure seamless coordination and effective execution of campaign activities, the party also constituted 12 specialised sub-committees covering Election Planning and Management; Finance and Resource Mobilisation; Contact, Grassroots Engagement and Mobilisation; Logistics and Campaign Management; Monitoring and Compliance; Protocol; Media and Publicity; Security; Youth Mobilisation; Special Interest (Persons with Disabilities) Mobilisation; Women’s Mobilisation; and Secretariat functions. Governor Hope Uzodimma chairs the Election Planning and Management Committee, while Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu heads the Finance and Resource Mobilisation Committee. Former Minister of State for Education, Felix Abdullahi, chairs the Media and Publicity Committee, with APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka serving as Secretary. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, was appointed Secretary of the Security Committee.
Political observers regard the Osun governorship election as a major electoral contest capable of influencing political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Saturday, August 15, 2026, for the Osun State Governorship Election. The APC’s comprehensive campaign structure reflects the party’s determination to reclaim the state and use the election as a template for its national campaign strategy in 2027.
Osun 2026: APC Inaugurates 292-Member Campaign Council, Declares Victory a Must
Politics
“I Won’t Slap Wike’s Son, I Won’t Kick Seyi Out — But Tinubu MUST Go!” Fayose Explodes
“I Won’t Slap Wike’s Son, I Won’t Kick Seyi Out — But Tinubu MUST Go!” Fayose Explodes
Abuja — Isaac Fayose has fired back at critics in dramatic fashion, declaring he will neither slap Nyesom Wike’s son nor kick President Bola Tinubu’s son Seyi out of his presence — but insisting with equal fury that the President must be voted out in 2027.
The businessman and younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose ignited a firestorm after photos surfaced of him hanging out with Seyi Tinubu and Joaquin Wike, son of the FCT Minister. Critics immediately accused him of betraying the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Fayose, however, refused to back down. In a video posted on his Facebook page, he threw a rhetorical punch at his accusers: “Tinubu must go. Wike is a land grabber. That doesn’t mean that Wike’s son will come and greet me and I will slap him. Or President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi, will come and greet me and I will kick him.”
He doubled down on his loyalty to Obi, declaring: “I campaigned for Obi. Do you know how much I spent on the last election? I still support Peter Obi. I still want Tinubu out of power.”
The controversy exploded after Fayose posted a photograph with Joaquin Wike, calling the minister’s son his younger brother. The image set social media ablaze, with users questioning why a self-proclaimed “101% Obidient” supporter would be seen with the family of a top APC figure.
It is not the first time Fayose has faced such backlash. In July 2026, a video showed him alongside Seyi Tinubu and socialite Cubana Chief Priest at an Abuja gathering where prayers were offered for the President and Nigeria. Fayose dismissed the meeting as a private social visit, not a political endorsement.
The latest storm underscores the fever-pitch sensitivity in opposition circles as political actors jostle for position ahead of the 2027 presidential contest. Fayose insists he is drawing a clear line — political allegiance on one side, personal courtesy on the other — but his critics are not buying it.
As of press time, neither the NDC nor Peter Obi’s camp has issued an official statement.
“I Won’t Slap Wike’s Son, I Won’t Kick Seyi Out — But Tinubu MUST Go!” Fayose Explodes
Politics
‘They Created Hunger, Poverty’: Tinubu Fires at Opposition as 2027 Re-election Campaign Begins
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has blamed opposition politicians for the hunger and poverty confronting Nigerians, insisting that his administration is working to address the economic challenges as he formally launched his campaign for a second term in office.
Tinubu made the remarks on Saturday, October 24, 2026, during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign flag-off rally at the Kaduna Township Stadium, where he urged Nigerians to renew his mandate in the 2027 presidential election.
The President’s comments come amid persistent public concerns over rising food prices, petrol costs, transportation expenses and declining purchasing power, with the economy expected to remain a major issue in the contest for the presidency.
Addressing supporters at the rally, Tinubu challenged opposition politicians who have criticised his administration over hunger and poverty, arguing that they were responsible for creating the problems they now accuse his government of failing to resolve.
“I hear my opponents talking about hunger and poverty. Who created it? They did. They created hunger, they created poverty. We are trying to eradicate them,” the President said.
Tinubu defended his administration’s economic policies, maintaining that his government was taking steps to improve the country’s finances, promote development and create conditions for greater prosperity.
He also commended APC governors for their efforts in their respective states and promised Nigerians improved economic opportunities if he secured a second term.
“To you, the children of our country, we promise prosperity in our second term. You will not regret going to the polls,” he told the gathering.
The President urged eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate in the forthcoming election. He also called on APC supporters to vote for the party’s candidates at the presidential, governorship and legislative levels.
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Tinubu further defended his administration’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy, insisting that the country would not return to the previous arrangement.
“Fuel subsidy is in our past: no more corruption, no more falsification of invoices, no more lies, no more smuggling of fuel,” he said.
The removal of the petrol subsidy, announced shortly after Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, remains one of the most consequential and controversial economic decisions of his administration.
The government has argued that the policy would reduce public expenditure, eliminate distortions in the petroleum market and free up resources for development. However, the increase in petrol prices following the reform has contributed to higher transportation and distribution costs, putting additional pressure on households and businesses.
The administration’s economic reforms, including changes to the foreign exchange system, have also generated debate over their long-term benefits and immediate effects on living standards.
Opposition politicians have repeatedly questioned the government’s management of the economy, arguing that the reforms have imposed significant hardship on Nigerians without delivering sufficient relief.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), criticised Tinubu’s attempt to blame opposition parties for the country’s economic difficulties.
Atiku argued that the APC had governed Nigeria since 2015, first under former President Muhammadu Buhari and subsequently under Tinubu, and should therefore accept responsibility for the country’s economic conditions during its period in power.
He maintained that Nigerians were experiencing significant hardship under the current administration and urged the President to address the concerns of citizens rather than blame political opponents.
The exchange highlights the growing political contest over responsibility for hunger, poverty and the cost-of-living crisis as parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
At the Kaduna rally, Vice-President Kashim Shettima also urged Nigerians, particularly voters in the North, to support Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Shettima recalled Tinubu’s previous support for northern presidential aspirants, including Atiku in 2007, Nuhu Ribadu in 2011 and Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 and 2019 elections. He argued that Tinubu had demonstrated political support for northern interests and called on voters to reciprocate.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani also appealed to northern voters to back the President, pointing to federal infrastructure projects, education initiatives and security interventions.
The rally attracted prominent APC figures, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, campaign Director-General Abdulaziz Yari, ministers, lawmakers and governors.
The event marked the beginning of Tinubu’s campaign for another presidential term, with the President asking Nigerians to give his administration additional time to pursue its economic and development agenda.
However, the debate over the causes of Nigeria’s economic hardship is likely to remain central to the election campaign. While the APC is defending its reforms and promising improved prosperity, opposition parties are demanding greater accountability for the impact of government policies on food affordability, employment, household incomes and living standards.
As the 2027 election approaches, voters will have to assess the competing claims of the ruling party and the opposition against their own experiences of the economy and the policy proposals presented by the candidates.
‘They Created Hunger, Poverty’: Tinubu Fires at Opposition as 2027 Re-election Campaign Begins
Politics
2027: Shettima Urges North to Repay Tinubu’s Support With Re-election
2027: Shettima Urges North to Repay Tinubu’s Support With Re-election
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has called on northern voters to rally behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, arguing that the region owes the President a political debt for his longstanding support for northern leaders, including the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Shettima made the appeal on Saturday at the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign launch in Kaduna, where he urged voters to support Tinubu and other APC candidates across the country in the forthcoming general elections.
According to the Vice-President, Tinubu’s political history demonstrates a consistent willingness to support leaders from the North, making it imperative for the region to reciprocate by backing his administration for another four-year term.
“We have come to ask you to renew a second time for the APC from top to bottom,” Shettima said.
He cited Tinubu’s role in supporting political figures from the North, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, whom he said the President had provided a platform to contest the presidency in 2007 following his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party.
Shettima also recalled Tinubu’s support for Buhari during the 2015 and 2019 presidential elections, describing the former Lagos State governor’s loyalty as evidence of honour and political commitment.
“And you can bear witness that in 2015 and 2019, President Tinubu stood solidly behind the late President Muhammadu Buhari, throughout his first and second term victories. This is a mark of honour and our faith in a man of honour,” he said.
Beyond appealing to the North on the basis of political loyalty, Shettima defended the Tinubu administration’s performance, highlighting projects and institutional developments he said demonstrated its commitment to national growth and the development of Kaduna State.
He said the administration had promised to restore Kaduna’s status as a leading centre of learning and pointed to the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, the transition of the institution in Zaria to a federal university of education and the establishment of a state vocational institute in Rigachikun as evidence of progress.
The Vice-President also listed major infrastructure projects, including the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline, the Kano-Maradi railway, the Lagos-Kano rail corridor and the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road, as part of the administration’s development agenda.
He further highlighted ongoing work on the Sokoto-Badagry highway, describing the project as a strategic investment that could expand agricultural production and unlock economic opportunities across the country.
According to Shettima, the highway would improve connectivity, open up agricultural communities and strengthen the movement of goods and services, with potential benefits for farmers and businesses.
His appeal in Kaduna combined a call for political reciprocity with a defence of the administration’s record, as the APC seeks to consolidate its support base ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Vice-President urged northern voters to consider Tinubu’s past political alliances and the administration’s stated achievements in deciding whether to renew the President’s mandate.
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