Opinion: Omisore, APC and the Cost of Political Ingratitude

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By Pelumi Olajengbesi Esq.

When I came across a video of Chief Sunday Akere dismissing the political relevance of Otunba Iyiola Omisore and asserting that the Osun APC does not require his support to secure victory in the August 2026 governorship election, I found it necessary to reflect on the deeper implications of that assertion.

Beyond its surface confidence, the statement reveals something far more concerning. It reflects a growing tendency within the APC to disregard its own political history and, in doing so, diminish the very alliances that once sustained its electoral successes.

For all intents and purposes, the remark amounts to a public declaration that Otunba Iyiola Omisore is of no consequence in Osun politics. That position is not only inaccurate; it underscores a broader and more consequential issue which is the cost of political ingratitude.

In 2018, when the governorship election in Osun State reached a critical juncture following Governor Ademola Adeleke clear leading at the initial ballot, the APC did not rely on assumptions or declarations of strength. Rather, it turned to negotiation, alliance building, and strategic influence. At that decisive moment, a high-powered delegation of party leaders engaged Otunba Iyiola Omisore in Ile Ife to secure his support. That engagement was neither symbolic nor incidental. It was deliberate, strategic, and ultimately decisive in shaping the final outcome that produced Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola as Governor.

It is therefore both surprising and instructive that the same political establishment which once recognised and actively sought Omisore’s influence now seeks to publicly diminish it. This is precisely where the question of political ingratitude becomes unavoidable.

It is also important to situate recent commentary within its proper context. Chief Sunday Akere’s remarks cannot be viewed in isolation from his role as Political Adviser to Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola. In truth, the attempt to downplay Otunba Iyiola Omisore’s relevance reflects not merely a personal opinion, but the lingering imprint of a political leadership that benefited from Omisore’s strategic support and has since failed to acknowledge it. This posture speaks to a deeper pattern of political ingratitude under Oyetola’s leadership and raises serious concerns about institutional memory and internal coherence within the APC.

In the 2022 governorship election, the people of Osun State made a clear and unequivocal decision at the ballot box by rejecting the APC and electing Senator Ademola Adeleke. That outcome was not accidental; it was a direct response to governance shortcomings and internal contradictions within the party, which the Oyetola administration and its political leadership, including his adviser, failed to address. These contradictions have since deepened, as the party now appears sharply, though quietly, divided into two factions, one aligned with Oyetola and the other comprising core members of the APC.

In contrast, the current administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke has prioritised governance and institutional recovery. Without dwelling on inherited challenges, it has taken deliberate steps to address outstanding obligations, restore confidence in public service, and reconnect governance with the people. These efforts have contributed to renewed public trust and have reinforced the value of responsive leadership.

The central issue, therefore, transcends any single individual. It speaks to what happens when a political party begins to disregard its own history, diminish its allies, and communicate with conflicting voices. That is the true cost of political ingratitude.

Politics is sustained by memory, respect, and strategic alignment. These are not optional virtues; they are fundamental principles. When they are ignored, the consequences are often profound and far-reaching.

As Osun approaches another electoral cycle, the lessons of the past remain instructive. Those who choose to ignore it often learn the hard way at the ballot box.

Pelumi Olajengbesi Esq.
Legal Practitioner and Public Affairs Commentator, Osun State.