Between April and May, a thick cloud of apprehension hung over members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State. To the average observer, the progressive camp appeared frozen in inertia, offering little visible resistance to the ruling tide as the August 15 governorship election drew closer.
Their concerns were rooted in a stark political reality. The coalition of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord appeared to dominate the public space with near-total control of the narrative. On popular political radio programmes, the overwhelming majority of callers praised the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke while simultaneously criticising and dismantling the legacy of the previous twelve years of progressive governance.
The situation was even more pronounced on social media, where the PDP/Accord digital machinery operated with remarkable efficiency. Their coordinated messaging consistently projected the current administration as the most impactful in the state’s recent history, further strengthening the perception that the opposition APC was struggling to find its voice.
Faced with this sustained media onslaught, even committed APC members and some party leaders began to openly question the party’s preparedness for the crucial electoral contest ahead. The anxiety deepened with the appointment of Hon. Wole Oke as Director-General of the AMBO Governorship Campaign. Rather than calming nerves, the decision generated mixed reactions within party ranks, with many stakeholders quietly expressing reservations about the strategic implications of the appointment.
It was against this backdrop of uncertainty that the APC conducted its senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly primaries. Many observers feared the exercises would further expose internal divisions and potentially fracture in the party at a critical moment. Ironically, the primaries produced the exact opposite outcome.
Rather than deepening divisions, they injected fresh momentum into the party and helped restore confidence among its supporters. The emergence of Kunle Rasheed Adegoke, SAN, as the APC candidate for the Osun Central Senatorial District provided a significant psychological and strategic boost. His candidacy revitalised the party’s prospects in Osogbo, the state capital and a traditional bellwether of electoral fortunes in Osun State.
Equally important was the emergence of a new generation of youthful and energetic candidates across the Osogbo axis. Their candidacies introduced a refreshing dynamic that resonated with many grassroots supporters and helped energise the party’s base.
For a political party often associated with post-primary disputes, the APC achieved what many considered a rare feat: a candidate selection process that did not trigger debilitating internal rancour. Instead, the largely peaceful outcome of the primaries strengthened party cohesion and renewed optimism among members.
The positive impact of the exercise also served as a strategic cushion against the high-profile exit of Senator Iyiola Omisore and his supporters. What could have become a major setback was effectively neutralised by the momentum generated from the primaries, making the party’s recovery appear both swift and well-coordinated.
Perhaps the most significant development in the APC’s resurgence, however, has been the aggressive activation of its grassroots structures, particularly the inauguration of 30 canvassers in every polling unit across the state’s local government areas. Beyond the symbolism of political mobilisation, the strategic importance of this initiative has not escaped either political analysts or the opposition.
Indeed, an anonymous PDP/Accord chieftain reportedly acknowledged the potency of the strategy, observing that the APC’s supporters are driven by the same hunger and determination that once fuelled the opposition’s own rise to power four years ago. According to the source, the canvasser programme provides party loyalists with a direct avenue to demonstrate their commitment and relevance, motivated by the hope of a better political future.
As the August 15 governorship election approaches, the central question remains whether the PDP/Accord coalition can develop an effective response to the APC’s renewed momentum. Such a counter-strategy is certainly possible, but its success may ultimately depend on whether the coalition’s grassroots supporters are willing to match the APC’s enthusiasm and commitment, driven more by loyalty to the cause than by immediate expectations of political patronage.
Kolade Ismail, a politician, writes from Ode-Omu in Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun State.
