Adeleke’s win signals growing rejection of APC, says Adebutu

By Lateef Ibrahim

The 2026 Osun governorship election has been interpreted by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Oladipupo Adebutu as a warning signal to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adebutu, who is the PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State for the 2027 election, said Adeleke’s victory demonstrated that Nigerians were increasingly dissatisfied with the APC and its style of governance.
He made the assertion on Sunday in a congratulatory message to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke following his re-election.
According to Adebutu, the outcome of the poll represented more than a victory for Adeleke, describing it as an expression of the electorate’s determination to reward leaders they believe are responsive to their needs.
He said Adeleke’s performance in Osun had provided an example of the type of leadership Nigerians were demanding, particularly at a time of economic hardship and widespread public frustration.
“Adeleke’s strides in Osun are a testament to what the people really need. It is a beacon of hope and a clear indicator that the will of the people will always triumph over political deceit,” Adebutu said.
He also described the governor’s victory as a validation of the people’s choice, arguing that political machinery alone could not overcome the determination of voters.
“I heartily congratulate my brother, Governor Ademola Adeleke, for proving that when the people stand firmly behind a leader, no force can subvert their will,” he added.
The comments effectively turn the Osun election into a political message ahead of 2027, with Adebutu presenting the result as evidence that voters may be prepared to punish the APC at the ballot box.
INEC declared Adeleke the winner of the election after he defeated the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
According to the figures announced by the Returning Officer, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, Adeleke polled 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji secured 444,815 votes. The result gave Adeleke victory in 19 local government areas, compared with 11 won by his APC challenger.
Adebutu argued that the result demonstrated the importance of connecting government policies with the everyday concerns of citizens, particularly through what he described as good governance and empathy for the masses.
His interpretation of the election is also significant because he is preparing to contest the 2027 governorship election in neighbouring Ogun State on the PDP platform. By linking Adeleke’s victory to dissatisfaction with the APC, Adebutu is effectively framing the Osun result as part of a broader political narrative that could influence next year’s elections.
However, whether the Osun outcome represents a wider rejection of the APC across Nigeria remains a question for the 2027 polls. For now, opposition politicians such as Adebutu are using the result to argue that the ruling party can be defeated when voters believe an alternative candidate better represents their interests.
With the 2027 elections still ahead, the Jigawa PDP leadership is clearly signaling that its candidate list should not yet be regarded as completely settled.