Osun APC abandoned issues for propaganda, Adeleke campaign alleges

As the 2026 Osun governorship race gathers momentum, the Adeleke Campaign Council has accused the APC of shifting from policy debates to intimidation tactics and propaganda-driven politics.

With barely months to the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State, the re-election campaign council of Governor Ademola Adeleke has accused the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) of abandoning issue-based politics for what it described as propaganda, intimidation and “fabricated stories” aimed at distracting voters.

Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council (TICC), made the allegation in a statement issued on Thursday, saying the APC had resorted to “cheap blackmail and empty intimidation theatrics” instead of presenting alternative policies to the electorate.

Olajengbesi said the opposition party was attempting to weaponise anti-corruption agencies for political purposes through what he called “infantile propaganda and false alarms,” insisting that public institutions must not be dragged into partisan battles ahead of the governorship contest.

The campaign spokesman, who referenced petitions allegedly written against him by members of the Osun APC to government agencies, described the development as evidence of desperation within the opposition camp.

“Only people who are intellectually shallow and morally bankrupt will display their desperation using the EFCC, as though the EFCC is not a government institution doing its lawful job within the confines of the law,” he said.

According to him, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should not be treated as a political tool or campaign strategy, stressing that the agency performs statutory responsibilities like other public institutions.

“The EFCC is not different from Road Safety or Fire Service. They are public institutions performing public responsibilities. It is only political jesters who have completely lost direction and hope that will turn ‘EFCC is coming’ into a campaign slogan,” Olajengbesi stated.

He maintained that Governor Adeleke’s re-election campaign remained focused on governance, performance and engagement with the electorate, while accusing the APC and its governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, of relying on rumours and intimidation tactics to create fear among supporters of the ruling administration in the state.

Olajengbesi argued that Osun voters were politically sophisticated and could not be swayed by propaganda or alleged abuse of federal influence.

“The people of Osun State are politically conscious and cannot be intimidated by empty propaganda or abuse of federal connections,” he said.

He further alleged that former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, whom he claimed was rejected by voters due to “underwhelming leadership,” had continued to boast about federal influence as a means of intimidating political opponents.

According to the campaign council spokesman, the APC must realise that elections would be decided by voters and not by anti-graft agencies.

“The earlier the Osun APC understands that elections cannot be won through blackmail and that the EFCC will not vote on Election Day, the better for them,” he said.

Olajengbesi also defended the Adeleke administration’s record, saying the government had continued to deliver on infrastructure, workers’ welfare, education, healthcare and economic growth across the state.

He added that Governor Adeleke and his supporters were not disturbed by what he termed the “empty noise of a rejected political party.”

The statement also contained fresh allegations against some APC leaders, with Olajengbesi claiming that former Governor Oyetola still had questions to answer regarding the management of a $20 million primary healthcare grant during his administration.

He also referenced reports involving APC Campaign Director-General Wole Oke over alleged extortion and bribery-related matters in the National Assembly.

The Osun APC had yet to officially respond to the allegations as of press time.