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Osun APC Faces Growing Rejection Despite Campaign Push
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Osun APC Faces Growing Rejection Despite Campaign Push
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State is facing increasing rejection from residents despite its ongoing efforts to woo voters across the state, according to reports from recent surveys.
Findings from an internally commissioned poll reportedly showed that the popularity rating of both the party and its governorship hopeful, Bola Oyebamiji, dropped from 26 percent last month to 21 percent.
The APC had embarked on what party insiders described as an aggressive grassroots mobilisation campaign, including door to door outreach, street campaigns and voter engagement through call centres. Allegations also emerged over the diversion of local government funds for political activities and the purchase of vehicles for security operatives.
However, sources within the campaign organisation said the strategy has failed to produce the expected results.
“Instead of recording a rise in popularity, the campaign has continued to experience a downward trend in acceptability among residents,” a source familiar with the internal review disclosed.
The source added that APC strategists recently held meetings to assess the situation and identify factors responsible for the declining support base of the party and its candidate.
Among the issues reportedly identified were the public perception of the immediate past administration of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, the controversy surrounding the APC governorship selection process and what many residents described as the strong performance of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Other concerns raised during the review, according to insiders, included the alleged absence of a convincing governance agenda from the Oyebamiji campaign team, internal messaging challenges and comments credited to Ogunbiyi suggesting that President Bola Tinubu favours the continuation of Governor Adeleke’s administration.
Reports also indicated growing concern within the APC over rising political tension in parts of the state, following allegations that some desperate elements within the party were pushing for violent tactics ahead of the election.
The development was linked to incidents such as the destruction of campaign billboards, the reported killing of an Accord Party agent in Ikire and threats allegedly issued by political operatives.
Political observers, however, noted that the alleged violence has failed to improve the electoral fortunes of the opposition party.
Meanwhile, a separate survey conducted by Geopolitics Survey International Limited reportedly placed Governor Adeleke’s acceptance rating above 82 percent, an increase from 72 percent recorded last month.
According to the survey, the governor’s rising popularity was attributed to the continued payment of workers’ salaries, ongoing infrastructural projects across the state despite financial challenges, positive assessments of his administration’s performance since 2022 and his non-violent approach to political opposition.
“The governor’s performance across major sectors and his peaceful disposition continue to resonate with residents across the state,” the report stated.
The survey further projected that the Osun APC could trail behind other opposition figures, including Najeem Salam, if the current trend persists ahead of the election.
