Yilwatda Charges APC to Reclaim Osun Ahead of 2027

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has charged party members to work towards reclaiming Osun State in the August 15 governorship election, describing the contest as a key test of the party’s readiness for the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on Tuesday at the inauguration of the APC National Campaign Council for the Osun governorship election in Abuja, Yilwatda said the party was determined to return the state to its fold through an intensive grassroots mobilisation campaign.

He said the campaign council brought together experienced party leaders, including governors, ministers, members of the National Assembly, former lawmakers, business leaders and other stakeholders, to coordinate efforts across the state.

According to him, the Osun governorship election, being the last off-cycle poll before the 2027 general elections, would serve as a dress rehearsal for the ruling party.

“This is the last governorship election before the 2027 general election. It will be our litmus test. It will measure our level of preparedness for 2027. It will be our practice ground and rehearsal for the political machine we are preparing for the next general election,” Yilwatda said.

The APC chairman expressed confidence in the party’s electoral prospects, saying its growing membership, experienced leadership and nationwide political structure placed it in a strong position to win the election.

He noted that recent defections from other political parties had further strengthened the APC ahead of future electoral contests.

Yilwatda said the campaign would focus on direct engagement with voters through house-to-house mobilisation across communities in Osun, with governors and party leaders from across the six geopolitical zones expected to participate.

“Nothing will stop us from taking over the Government House on August 15,” he declared.

Responding on behalf of the campaign council, its chairman and Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, assured the party leadership that members would justify the confidence reposed in them through a peaceful, issue-based and disciplined campaign.

He said the council would engage voters in all local government areas, wards and polling units while showcasing the achievements of the APC-led Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Our campaign will be vigorous without violence, competitive without bitterness and confident without arrogance. We shall organise, mobilise and deliver victory by the grace of God and the democratic will of the people,” Uzodimma said.

The APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), thanked President Tinubu, the party leadership and members of the campaign council for their support, saying the composition of the council had energised party supporters across Osun State.

Oyebamiji said his campaign had reached all 30 local government areas, 332 wards and 3,762 polling units through sustained engagement with traditional rulers, market women, youths, artisans, professionals and other stakeholders.

He expressed optimism that the APC would reclaim the state, citing recent mobilisation activities, including a solidarity walk by thousands of women and youths led by former First Lady of Osun State, Kafayat Oyetola, as evidence of growing support for the party.

“The people of Osun are ready, the APC is ready, and together we will rescue Osun and return it to the path of responsible leadership, prosperity and sustainable development,” Oyebamiji said.

Earlier, the APC constituted the National Campaign Council with Governor Uzodimma as chairman, Ibrahim Kabir Masari as deputy chairman and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin as secretary, alongside governors, ministers, federal lawmakers and other senior party leaders tasked with driving the party’s campaign ahead of the August 15 governorship election.