The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party have traded words over governance and political prospects ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its state chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, the APC accused Governor Ademola Adeleke and his allies of launching frivolous attacks on former governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the party’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. Lawal claimed these criticisms were driven by the ruling party’s fear of defeat at the polls in 2026.

Lawal alleged that the Adeleke administration had failed across key sectors, including health, education, security, and infrastructure. “It is neither Oyetola nor Oyebamiji who is responsible for the ill-fated status of this administration,” he said. The APC further claimed that the state government mismanaged public funds and accused the administration of misleading the public over delays in local government allocations.

According to the APC, the delay in payments followed a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on February 10, 2025, reinstating APC local government officials. The party alleged the state government instituted multiple cases to frustrate this process.

Reacting a day later, the Osun State chapter of the Accord Party dismissed the APC statement as a sign of panic. In a statement signed by its state chairman, Pastor Victor Akande, the Accord Party described the APC’s comments as intellectually bankrupt. Akande argued that Osun has witnessed a turnaround under Governor Adeleke, citing improvements in infrastructure and workers’ welfare.

“Governor Adeleke has prioritized workers’ welfare and restored consistency in salary payments,” Akande said. He also defended the administration’s record in health and security, rejection of APC’s financial criticisms, and noted that residents had not forgotten the “half-salary” era under previous leadership.