Farouk Aliyu says APC members took Ademola Adeleke for granted in Osun, believing the Federal Government would secure victory for the party
All Progressives Congress chieftain Farouk Aliyu on Monday, August 17, 2026, said APC members and supporters underestimated Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke during the governorship election because they believed the Federal Government would secure victory for the party.
Also read: Farouk Aliyu blames APC division for Osun loss
Speaking on ARISE Television’s Morning Show, Aliyu said the assumption contributed to the APC’s defeat, as some party members failed to put in the required effort in areas where the party needed strong mobilisation.
Aliyu said some supporters expected the Federal Government to influence the outcome of the election, leading them to approach the contest with excessive confidence.
“Yes, there were sentiments, and members of our party, I think, also had an overkill. Some thought that probably the Federal Government would come and just drive everybody and write the results,” he said.
The APC chieftain said the attitude resulted in Adeleke and his political movement being taken for granted in parts of the state.
“Our members and supporters took Adeleke for granted, and the members of his party, his movement, in such a way that what we ordinarily ought to do in certain places, we didn’t do,” Aliyu said.
He added that some party members appeared convinced that victory was already assured.
“Thinking that, look, what is it? I will win the election. We can even do whatever to win the election. Well, that didn’t happen,” he said.
Aliyu’s assessment comes after a closely contested election in which Adeleke successfully secured a second term in office.
The governor polled 511,067 votes, defeating APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, who recorded 444,815 votes. Adeleke therefore won by a margin of 66,252 votes.
The result represented a significant setback for the APC, particularly given the party’s control of the Federal Government and its efforts to challenge Adeleke’s administration in the state.
Aliyu also criticised comments attributed to APC chieftain Senator Francis Fadahunsi, saying political disagreements should not descend into threats against opponents.
“But yes, I agree with you, Senator Fadahunsi spoke in Yoruba; I don’t speak Yoruba, I don’t understand Yoruba that much, I think what he did was very wrong, for coming out to say ‘kill’,” he said.
Aliyu’s comments offer a frank assessment of the factors behind the APC’s loss, with the party chieftain pointing not only to political calculations but also to complacency among members.
The remarks are likely to add to the debate within the APC over its strategy, internal mobilisation and candidate selection following the Osun setback.
Also read: Farouk Aliyu blames APC division for Osun loss
For Adeleke, the victory has strengthened his position in Osun and provided a powerful boost ahead of the wider political contest leading into the 2027 general election.
