By Thomas Abidoye
Osun – A Senior Special Assistant to Ademola Adeleke, Chief Akintunde Bello Sheriff, has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not succeed in the 2026 governorship election in Osun State.
Sheriff, who stated this in a post shared on his Facebook page, said the strategy being adopted by members of the opposition party would not guarantee electoral success in the state.
He argued that many supporters of the APC appear to be relying on external political support rather than presenting a clear manifesto to voters ahead of the election
The governor’s aide referenced political developments in Kogi State, noting that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan secured electoral victory despite the influence of former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello.
Sheriff also cited the 2014 governorship election in Osun State, recalling that several prominent politicians, including Musiliu Obanikoro, Buruji Kashamu and Ayo Fayose, were present in the state to support an opposition candidate who eventually lost the election.
According to him, voters in Osun State have historically demonstrated independence in their voting decisions and have resisted attempts at electoral manipulation.
He maintained that any plan to rely on alleged election manipulation would not succeed against the electorate in the 2026 governorship contest in the state.
Sherrif wrote, “For some of us who have been around for some time now; the toga by the APC Boys in Osun can not be surprising. If you ask an average APC today what is their manifesto; they shall tell you Yahyah Bello is coming to help them install Muniru. They have forgotten that an opposition Natasha Akpoti Udhagan won election under the nostrils of Yahyah Bello in Kogi State. If election was easy to rig; Natasha will not be in the Senate today.
“In 2014; Musiliu Obanikoro, Late Buruji Kasshamu; Fayose were all in Osun State but the opposition Candidate they came to support lost that election. The Osun Voters are difficult to manipulate. The Electorates defeated hooded DSS men in 2014 not to talk of thugs from Kogi at this modern age.
“The high banking on rigging will fail the Osun State APC in 2026. Osun Lentete!!!”
AMILOADED had earlier reported that Bello Sheriff, explained the circumstances that led to voting extending into the night in parts of Ede during the 2022 Osun governorship election.
Akintunde made the explanation while appearing on the State Affairs programme anchored by Edmund Obilo.
He stated that Governor Ademola Adeleke had never been afraid of any electoral contest and maintained that the 2022 governorship election was conducted under daylight and closely monitored by local and international observers.
According to him, reports from election observers confirmed that the election was free, fair, and transparent, with Adeleke emerging as the winner through due process.
Akintunde clarified that the extension of voting into the night was in line with electoral law, which allows voters already on the queue at the official closing time to complete the voting process.
He explained that while no new voters were permitted to join the queue after the stipulated closing time, those who were already accredited before that time were legally entitled to cast their votes, even if the process extended into the night.
He added that the conduct of the election was challenged at the election tribunal, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court, but all the cases were dismissed, affirming Adeleke’s victory.
Akintunde noted that Adeleke’s emergence as governor was validated by the mandate of the people, upheld by the law, and affirmed through the judicial process.
He said “they took the trial of that election before the tribunal, appeal and supreme court they failed woefully, by the mandate of the people Adeleke won,by the mandate of the law, he won, by the mandate of God, he won.”