Osun 2026: APC Vows Violence-Free Poll

… Dismisses Flyover Vandalism Allegation

By Omidiran Seun

The Osun State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Oluomo Sunday Akere, has assured that the Osun governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026, will be free of violence before, during and after the exercise.

Akere gave the assurance while speaking as a guest at the Osun NUJ Guest Platform, a programme initiated by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Osun State Council, to bridge the gap between the political class and the public.

Speaking on behalf of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Akere said the party was committed to a peaceful and credible process.

“The August 15 election will usher in a new era of progress for Osun State under the APC, and we are committed to ensuring that the process is peaceful and credible,” he said.

Earlier, the Osun NUJ Chairman, Dr. Adeyemi Aboderin, said the Guest Platform was designed to promote robust engagement between politicians and the people. He urged journalists to uphold professionalism and provide comprehensive coverage of the programme.

During a question-and-answer session, Akere dismissed allegations that the APC was behind the recent vandalism of flyover projects executed by the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The incumbent governor, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party, had seen his administration’s newly commissioned Lameco Flyover in Osogbo become a subject of political controversy.

The Accord Party had alleged that the damage to the flyover was an act of sabotage by the opposition to discredit the government ahead of the election.

Akere, however, attributed the damage to structural deficiencies, insisting that the APC had raised concerns about the projects from inception.

“We complained from the beginning that the contractors were not registered professionals. One was registered with the CAC as a fertilizer merchant, and another as a tie and dye merchant,” he said.

He added that visible signs of structural failure, including a deep pothole on the bridge, had raised serious questions about the quality of construction.

Akere expressed confidence that the APC would return to power with its candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO.

He cited the achievements of previous APC administrations under Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola, referencing programmes such as the Omoluabi Saving Scheme and the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme, OYES, as evidence of the party’s people-oriented governance.

“During the lean times, our administration ensured that workers were not completely abandoned,” he said.

Outlining the party’s priorities if elected, Akere said an APC administration would focus on energy to drive technology-led development, agriculture, education, infrastructure and security. He also pledged 35 percent affirmative action for women in government.

On security, he said the party had demonstrated readiness by supporting security agencies with Armoured Personnel Carriers to be deployed to strategic locations across the state.

Akere, a former Commissioner for Information and recently elected Governor of the Lions Club in Osun, appealed to all political actors to maintain peace.

“I am confident that August 15 will usher in Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji as the new Governor of Osun State. I appeal to the opposition to allow peace to reign,” he said.