The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed recent criticisms allegedly directed at former Governor Gboyega Oyetola and the party’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, describing them as signs of panic ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

In a statement on Sunday, the APC said Governor Ademola Adeleke and his political allies were reacting to what it described as their “waning political fortunes” and a growing loss of public confidence in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration.

The party accused the Adeleke administration of sponsoring what it called coordinated attacks against Oyetola, now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, and Oyebamiji, who emerged as APC’s candidate through a consensus primary.

According to the APC, the governor’s camp has become unsettled by the party’s internal cohesion and the emergence of Oyebamiji, whom it described as a tested and capable leader with widespread acceptance across the state.

Reaffirming its confidence ahead of the August 8, 2026 governorship election, the APC said it was prepared to reclaim power through what it described as the votes of the people and a commitment to restoring what it called Osun State’s lost glory.

The party described the desperation being displayed by the PDP leadership in Osun as a direct consequence of what it termed failure in governance, alleging that the Adeleke administration has fallen short in key sectors including health, education, security, infrastructure and local government administration.

The APC further rejected claims that former Governor Oyetola or its governorship candidate was responsible for the challenges confronting the current administration, arguing that governance failures were self-inflicted.

It also accused the Adeleke government of politicising the ongoing dispute over the payment of federal allocations to local government councils, following the reinstatement of APC-backed chairmen and councillors by a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on February 10, 2025.

The party claimed that the state government had instituted multiple court cases, which it said were responsible for the delay in the release of funds to the councils, rather than any action by the APC leadership.

“The attempt by the PDP to play the victim and misrepresent court rulings is misleading and unfair to the people affected by the impasse, including traditional rulers, teachers and health workers,” the statement added.

The APC insisted that the criticisms directed at its leaders were aimed at diverting attention from what it described as the administration’s lack of direction and poor delivery on campaign promises.

The statement was signed by the Osun APC Chairman, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal.