Jul 21, 2026

Osun APC Plotting Chaos to Discredit Adeleke — Accord Campaign Chair

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in politics

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Osogbo, Nigeria – July 21, 2026 – Fresh allegations of planned disruption have heightened political temperatures in Osun State as the state prepares for its next governorship election.

Bamidele Salam, Chairman of the Imole Campaign Council, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state of deliberately plotting to create chaos in order to portray the state as ungovernable under the current administration.

“The plan of the APC in Osun State is to cause chaos,” Salam stated firmly. “Their plan is to make the state appear to the rest of the world as being unable to conduct itself in a civil manner.”

The strong remarks, made during a recent interview, reflect deepening divisions and mutual suspicions as political activities intensify.

Osun State has long been a battleground between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), currently in power under Governor Ademola Adeleke, and the APC.

Allegations of orchestrated violence, billboard destruction, and attempts to undermine public order have surfaced repeatedly in recent weeks.

The Imole Campaign Council, backing the re-election bid of the incumbent, appears increasingly concerned about potential disruptions that could affect the credibility of the electoral process.

This latest accusation comes amid a pattern of accusations and counter-accusations between the two major parties.

Opposition voices often criticise the state government on issues of governance and service delivery, while the ruling camp insists that external forces are working to destabilise the state for political gain.

Osun has witnessed closely fought elections in the past, with legal battles and claims of irregularities frequently following polls.

The state’s strategic importance in Southwest politics makes every contest high-stakes, drawing national attention and resources from party heavyweights.

Concerns about pre-election violence are not new in Nigeria, but they carry particular weight in Osun, where peaceful power transitions have sometimes been hard-won.

Security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will likely face increased pressure to maintain order as campaigns gather momentum.

Accusations of deliberate chaos undermine public confidence in the democratic process. When political actors are perceived as prioritising power grabs over peaceful competition, ordinary citizens — especially the youth — grow more cynical about participating.

Yet, as recent national conversations have highlighted, sustained civic engagement remains the best antidote to manipulation.

Governor Adeleke’s camp is framing the current tensions as an attempt to distract from governance achievements and create a false narrative of instability.

Whether these claims hold or represent mutual political gamesmanship, they underscore the urgent need for all parties to commit to issue-based campaigns and respect for the rule of law.

In over three decades reporting on Nigerian politics, I have seen how pre-election rhetoric in states like Osun can quickly escalate if not carefully managed.

Healthy competition strengthens democracy; manufactured chaos weakens it.

All stakeholders — parties, security forces, and INEC — must prioritise peace and transparency.

Nigerians in Osun deserve an election defined by ideas, not intimidation. As the polls approach, the true test will be whether leaders rise above divisive tactics or succumb to them. The world, as Salam noted, is watching.