The political landscape in Osun State, Nigeria, intensified as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) engaged in a war of words over Governor Ademola Adeleke’s screening for the 2026 governorship election.

Governor Adeleke underwent screening at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja, alongside other party aspirants, in a closed-door session attended by top party leaders. Following the exercise, Adeleke expressed confidence in his administration’s performance, citing delivery on promises to the people of Osun State and anticipating victory in the forthcoming polls. He attributed his confidence to the administration’s record and popularity, which he believes have earned widespread public support.

The governor also expressed faith in the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring a credible electoral process, stating that his administration’s excellent records of performance would ultimately prevail in the best interest of democracy.

In response, the Osun State chapter of the APC described the PDP screening as a face-saving move, alleging that Adeleke had attempted to defect to the opposition party. The APC urged the governor to prepare his handover note, criticizing his administration as shallow and mediocre. The party alleged that over ₦60 billion had been spent on the Governor’s Office in 35 months without recruiting teachers, and that the administration had failed to adequately fund education.

The APC further claimed that Adeleke’s re-election bid was doomed, citing misgovernance, misplaced priorities, and wastage of resources. The party asserted that the governor’s performance had already been rejected by the people of Osun, and that no political party could save him from defeat. The APC expressed readiness to reclaim Osun in 2026, citing the poor public perception of the current government.

The exchange between the two parties highlights the intense political rivalry in Osun State ahead of the 2026 governorship election. As the electoral process unfolds, the people of Osun will ultimately decide the fate of Governor Adeleke and the ruling PDP. The outcome of the election will depend on various factors, including the performance of the current administration, the credibility of the electoral process, and the alternatives offered by the opposition parties.