By Abdulahmeed Abdulrozaq Bilal | Fact Frontier.
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Tensions are escalating in Osun State ahead of the forthcoming gubernatorial election scheduled for August 15, 2026, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) has firmly rejected allegations of rigging leveled by the incumbent Governor, Ademola Adeleke.
The political dispute began when Governor Adeleke, who is seeking re-election under the Accord Party, raised alarms over what he described as a plot by the opposition to deploy "federal might" to manipulate the electoral process. Speaking at a recent stakeholders' meeting, the Governor warned his supporters to remain vigilant against any attempts to subvert the will of the people.
However, the Osun State chapter of the APC has pushed back against these claims, describing them as baseless and a distraction from the developmental issues facing the state.
In an official response issued on Monday, the APC's Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, categorically denied the allegations. He accused the Governor of attempting to precondition the minds of the public and the international community against the electoral process ahead of time.
We have seen the statements coming from the Government House, and we want to state clearly that these are unfounded. They are a mere figment of the imagination of a desperate administration,Olabisi stated.
The APC spokesperson further emphasized that the party is focused on legitimate political mobilization and believes it can secure victory at the polls based on its growing popularity and the performance of the federal government.
Our campaign is built on issues that matter to the people of Osun. We are not interested in rigging; we are interested in winning fairly based on our track record and the widespread support we are witnessing across the three senatorial districts,he added.
The party also took the opportunity to challenge Governor Adeleke to present any evidence he might have regarding the alleged plot. "If Governor Adeleke has any tangible evidence of a plan to rig the election, he should take it to the security agencies rather than seeking to score cheap political points through the media," the statement continued.
This war of words comes just five months before one of the most anticipated off-cycle elections in the South-West region. Governor Adeleke had previously raised similar concerns during a meeting with his party's leadership, where he reportedly stated, "Federal might is for good governance, not election rigging." This remark has been interpreted by political analysts as a veiled reference to the influence of the APC-led federal government.
As the rhetoric heats up, civil society organizations in the state are calling for calm and urging both parties to adhere to the rules of the game. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has yet to comment on the allegations but has previously assured stakeholders of its commitment to conducting a free and fair election in the state.
With the clock ticking toward August, the political atmosphere in Osun State remains charged, and observers will be watching closely to see how these allegations and counter-allegations impact the credibility of the electoral process.
