The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of stifling opposition by creating a non-level playing ground for campaign activities ahead of the 2026 governorship election. According to the party’s spokesman, Kola Olabisi, the state government has directed the O’Signage Agency not to approve the erection or pasting of APC billboards in Osogbo, citing a need to maintain a level playing field.
The APC claims that this directive is an attempt to misuse the power of incumbency and undermine the party’s governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji. The party also alleges that the state government has ordered the O’Signage Agency to identify and compensate the owners of existing billboards in Osogbo for a period of three years, a move they describe as “unlawful” and “cruel.”
In response, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on O’Signage, Hoarding and Advertisement Agency, Wale Ayofe-Aminu, dismissed the APC’s claims as “baseless” and “politically contrived.” He explained that the agency operates strictly within the confines of the law and that regulations governing billboards and outdoor advertisements are uniform, transparent, and non-discriminatory.
Ayofe-Aminu argued that the APC’s outburst is a result of panic in the face of an impending political reckoning, adding that the state government remains committed to fairness, rule of law, and democratic principles. The Osun State Government has been at odds with the APC over issues such as the management of public funds and security, with the APC accusing Governor Adeleke of mismanaging state resources.
The APC has demanded a detailed account of funds received by the state government since Adeleke’s assumption of office in November 2022. However, the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, has dismissed these allegations as “fake news” and “mischievous propaganda” aimed at discrediting a performing administration. The dispute between the Osun State Government and the APC is likely to continue as the 2026 governorship election approaches, with both sides trading accusations and attempting to sway public opinion.
The situation has significant implications for the state’s political landscape, as the APC seeks to regain power and the ruling party works to maintain its hold on the state. As the campaign season heats up, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact the outcome of the election. With the Osun State Government and the APC at odds, the state’s residents will be closely watching the situation unfold, awaiting the next steps and potential resolutions to the ongoing disputes.