…Says Osun guber a rehearsal on how to win in 2027
By Jude Opara
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nantawe Yilwatda on Tuesday in Abuja boasted that his party has the machinery and resources to win every election in the country.
Yilwatda who spoke while inaugurating the Osun state governorship election campaign council, said the Osun polls which will be the last before the 2027 general elections will also be a dress rehearsal on how the ruling party will win the forthcoming 2027 general elections.
“This will be our practice ground. It will be our rehearsal for the political machine we are preparing for 2027.
“That is why winning the Osun election is a must for the APC. The party will mobilise resources, coordinate our people, and move into Osun in large numbers after this inauguration”.
He added that the August 15 governorship election in the South West state is a must win for the APC, because the party has more human and any other resources needed to win an election than any other political party.
“If there is any political party in Nigeria that has human resources in abundance, it is the APC. If there is any political party that has the most experienced politicians in Nigeria, it is the APC.
“No political party can boast of the number of governors, National Assembly members, local government chairmen, councillors, former governors, and former National Assembly members that we have. We have them in abundance.
“We even have a number of former PDP leaders who are now here, as well as former members of different political parties, including the Labour Party and others. They have all come to add to the wealth of experience and the rich resources we have in this party.
“The APC has all it takes to win elections in Nigeria from councillorship elections to local government elections, National Assembly elections, House of Assembly elections, governorship elections, and ultimately the presidential election in 2027.
“Looking at the calibre of people we have selected in this room from the governors to members of the National Assembly, members of the National Working Committee, and all the committees represented here nothing will stop us from taking over the Government House on August 15, 2026”.
The APC boss also expressed confidence in the calibre of members of the council, saying they were carefully selected to ensure that the election is properly coordinated for the party to win the Osun governorship election.
He further stated that the party will carry out a door -to- door campaign, where every man and woman in the state would be spoken to and convinced on why they should vote the candidate of the APC.
“By the time the governors in the South-West, South-South, and South-East each take responsibility for one senatorial district alongside National Assembly members, House of Assembly members, and local government chairmen, carrying out person-to-person campaigns across the state, and the governors from the North also come with their local government chairmen, councillors, House of Assembly members, and National Assembly members, we will conduct intensive grassroots campaigns.
“We will do person-to-person campaigns. We will go house to house. There is no tribe, no language, and no resident in Osun today—whether indigene or non-indigene—who does not have an APC member that can walk to his or her house, knock on the door, and persuade that person to support us so that we can win the election in 2026.
“That is why we selected members of this committee to represent all tribes, all languages, and all shades of opinion—from the polling units to every stakeholder represented here”.
In his acceptance speech, Chairman of the Campaign Council and governor of Imo state, Sen. Hope Uzodimma said their inauguration is a call to service, adding that members of the council are ready to justify their appointments.
Uzodimma who is also the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) urges the entire party members to join hands to ensure victory for the party because it’s a collective responsibility.
He also assured that the campaign will be issue-based, adding that there will be no room for mud-slinging and that they would anchor it on the achievements of President Bola Tinubu.
“Our campaign will be issue-based, evidence-driven and respectful. It will rest on the achievements of the APC-led Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and on the enduring performance of progressive governance across our states. These records demonstrate that progressive governance is not an abstract slogan. It is a practical philosophy that transforms public trust into infrastructure, education, healthcare, security, opportunity and human dignity.
“The APC approaches this election as the most coordinated, focused and prepared political party. Readiness, however, is measured not only by the size of our rallies but by the clarity of our message, the discipline of our organisation and the depth of our connection with the electorate.
“We will reach the people where they live and work, across communities, local government areas, wards and polling units. We will engage workers. We will engage farmers. We will engage market women, artisans, professionals, young people, traditional and religious leaders, and persons with disabilities. We will listen before we act, persuade rather than impose, and mobilise lawfully so that every vote counts and delivers victory.
“We will not be distracted or intimidated by opposition blackmail, misinformation or manufactured outrage on social media or anywhere else. We will answer falsehood with facts. We will respond to insults with discipline, propaganda with performance and provocation with peace. Our strength will lie not only in the loudness of our voices but in the truth of our message and the effectiveness of our organisation”.
Present at the occasion include; the governors of Ekiti state, Biodun Oyebanji, the governor of Kano state, Abbah Yusuf, governor of Yobe, Mai Mala Buni, the governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, former governor of Osun state, Chief Bisi Akande and many other party chieftains.
The Osun state governorship election campaign council is made up of 291 members drawn from all parts of the country.
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