• APC vows to secure victory for Oyebamiji
• We don’t need federal might to defeat incumbent gov, says candidate

As political gladiators and stakeholders perfect arrangements ahead of the August 15, 2026, governorship polls in Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke yesterday declared that he was not under any pressure but did not trust the police to be neutral and fair.

He, however, expressed confidence in the ability of the National Peace Committee, headed by former military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar (rtd), to wade in over alleged partisanship and politically motivated arrests by security agents.

Adeleke, while speaking shortly after a programme tagged ‘A Day with Mr Governor’, organised by the Office of the Head of Service, in conjunction with labour leaders, workers and pensioners, said: “I am not under pressure, but I have God on my side and on the side of the people of Osun State.”

He reaffirmed that his performance in all critical sectors and fulfilment of promises in the implementation of infrastructural projects, impactful economic policies, and welfare packages for the civil servants would speak for him during the polls.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Osun State chapter, Christopher Arapasopo, posited that workers in the state would not return to the dark days under the All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

Meanwhile, the APC has declared its determination to defeat Adeleke in the forthcoming governorship election and secure victory for its candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

The resolve was reiterated yesterday at the inaugural meeting of the APC National Campaign Council for the Osun State governorship election, held at the Kano State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.

The meeting was convened by the National Campaign Council, chaired by Imo State Governor and Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, with Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, serving as Secretary.

Uzodimma, while addressing members of the council, said the primary objective of the campaign structure was to mobilise support and deploy all necessary strategies to ensure the APC wins the Osun governorship election.

“The plan is to go and support our brothers and sisters in Osun State to win the forthcoming election. This meeting is not for merrymaking. It’s not for any jamboree. It is for people to come and offer service.”

Uzodimma said members of the various sub-committees had been mandated to meet within the next few days and submit concrete proposals on how they could contribute to the campaign’s success.

He said the committees were expected to submit their resolutions and proposals to the national secretary of the council, including areas where they would require assistance from the Central Working Committee (CWC).

Also, Oyebamiji yesterday declared that the APC would unseat the ruling Accord Party, insisting that Adeleke would be defeated without the aid of “federal might”.

Oyebamiji, while speaking with journalists in Lagos, dismissed claims that the APC was relying on the Federal Government or security agencies to influence the election’s outcome.

He also rejected allegations by the Adeleke administration that the APC was behind the recent wave of political violence in the state, describing the accusation as propaganda.