Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has condemned the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, for making provocative remarks about the party’s plans to dominate the South-West region.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke accused Ganduje of attempting to destabilize the South-West through his comments about taking over Osun and Oyo states.
On Sunday, Ganduje had boldly declared that the APC, following its disputed victory in Ondo State, was eyeing a larger presence in the South-West.
“Our next target now is this geo-political zone, the Southwest,” Ganduje said, expressing confidence in the APC’s ability to expand its control across the region.
He emphasized the party’s desire to secure victories in all South-Western states, following its success in Ondo, and made it clear that the region was now a key area for the APC’s political strategy.
However, Governor Adeleke did not take kindly to these remarks. He swiftly responded, warning that such statements could ignite unnecessary tension and conflict in the region.
“If Dr Ganduje truly loves Mr President, why is he pushing to destabilize the president’s home zone through open threats?” Adeleke’s spokesperson questioned in the statement.
The governor’s team pointed out that Ganduje’s claims were not only inaccurate but also reckless, as they ignored the unique political dynamics of Osun and Oyo states.
“As a well-read politician, one would have expected Dr Ganduje to know that electoral contests depend mostly on local indexes and factors,” the statement added.
Governor Adeleke, a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), stressed that the political situation in Osun State was very different from what might be observed in Edo or Ondo states.
The Osun State governor argued that the political climate in his state was stable and that the PDP was gaining strength.
“PDP in Osun is already a strong mass movement which cannot be overrun by a party chairman who failed to deliver his own state,” Adeleke’s spokesperson asserted.
The statement further emphasized that the PDP in Osun was drawing large numbers of defectors from opposition parties, which solidified its position.
“This is not a fight that can be won by mere threats,” the spokesperson added.
Adeleke’s response also highlighted the growing support for his leadership in Osun State, with the governor remaining a popular figure among voters.
The PDP in Osun, according to the governor’s camp, is deeply rooted in the state’s political fabric and cannot be easily displaced by any external interference.
Governor Adeleke’s camp also accused Ganduje of attempting to undermine democracy in the South-West region.
The statement pointed to the fact that Ganduje’s remarks could potentially violate the rights of the electorate, as he seemed to suggest that the party could override the will of the people in states like Osun and Oyo.
“By threatening to hijack opposition states, the APC leader is undermining the general consensus among Yoruba people,” the statement declared.
It was noted that the Yoruba people had largely accepted President Muhammadu Buhari, despite political differences, and that Ganduje’s actions could cause unnecessary divisions within the region.
The governor’s team also stressed that if Ganduje’s remarks were made out of ignorance, he was urged to educate himself on the political dynamics of Osun state before making further claims.
“Governor Adeleke remains an extraordinarily popular leader whose mandate now or in 2026 cannot be hijacked by anti-democratic forces,” the statement concluded.
The Osun State governor also warned that Ganduje’s comments could lead to dangerous consequences in the South-West.
“There is no place for such divisive and destabilizing rhetoric in our region,” Adeleke said in a brief interview.
He expressed concern that Ganduje’s statements could incite conflict among political groups in the South-West, threatening the peaceful coexistence that has long defined the region.
“We must resist attempts to sow discord and continue to work together for the betterment of our people,” Adeleke added.
Governor Adeleke’s strong response to Ganduje’s remarks highlights the tense political climate in the South-West, as both the APC and PDP vie for control over key states in the region.
The South-West region has long been a political battleground, with both the APC and PDP seeking to consolidate their influence.
The recent electoral successes of the APC, including its victory in Ondo, have prompted party leaders to set their sights on other states, including Osun and Oyo.
