National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has likened the party’s political strength in Osun State to “a trailer facing a keke,” expressing confidence that the ruling party will defeat Governor Ademola Adeleke’s Accord Party in the August 15 governorship election.

Yilwatda made the remarks on Tuesday during the inauguration of the Osun State APC Governorship Campaign Council in Abuja.

He said the campaign council comprises governors, members of the National Assembly, members of the Federal Executive Council, deputy governors, serving and former lawmakers, and other party stakeholders selected to deliver victory for the APC.

“It is like a trailer facing a keke. I do not know how the political party standing against us in Osun can withstand the strength of these people who are going there to mobilise and win the election in 2026,” he said.

The APC chairman disclosed that the party would deploy governors from the South-West, South-South and South-East to oversee campaigns in the state’s three senatorial districts, while governors from the North would also mobilise local government chairmen, councillors and lawmakers for grassroots campaigns.

According to him, the party plans to embark on extensive door-to-door campaigns across the state.

“We will do person-to-person campaigns. We will go house to house. There is no tribe, no language, and no resident in Osun today—whether indigene or non-indigene—who does not have an APC member that can walk to his or her house, knock on the door, and persuade that person to support us,” Yilwatda said.

He described the Osun governorship election as a crucial test of the APC’s readiness for the 2027 general elections.

“This will be our practice ground. It will be our rehearsal for the political machine we are preparing for 2027,” he added.

Responding on behalf of the campaign council, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma said the team would conduct an issue-based and respectful campaign focused on earning the confidence of Osun voters.

“Our 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 our governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji,” Uzodimma said.

He added that the party would respond to opposition criticism with facts and its record in government.

“We will not be distracted or intimidated by opposition blackmail, misinformation or manufactured outrage on social media or anywhere else. We will answer falsehood with facts, respond to insults with discipline, propaganda with performance and provocation with peace,” he said.

The APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, thanked President Bola Tinubu and the party’s leadership for their support, expressing confidence that the APC would emerge victorious in the election.

“Together, we will win. Together, we will rescue Osun. Together, we will build a prosperous and sustainable Osun State,” Oyebamiji said.