Osun Election: APC Chieftain Oyintiloye Urges Members Not to Be Discouraged, Says Party Must Rebuild for 2027
APC chieftain Olatunbosun Oyintiloye says the party must learn from the Osun election outcome, remain united and strengthen its grassroots structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged party members and leaders not to be discouraged by the outcome of the state’s governorship election, saying the party must use the experience to strengthen its structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, made the call while speaking with journalists in Osogbo on Monday, as the APC begins to assess its performance following the August 15 governorship poll.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had scheduled the Osun governorship election for August 15, 2026.
According to Oyintiloye, the election should not be viewed only through the prism of victory or defeat but also as an opportunity for the APC to identify its weaknesses, consolidate its structures and reconnect more deeply with voters at the grassroots.
“We must remain united, disciplined and focused,” he said, urging party members to return to the grassroots, listen to the concerns of residents and build on the political mobilisation achieved during the campaign.
Oyintiloye also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as his support and intervention in the Osun election, saying the President’s involvement gave members of the APC renewed confidence and strengthened the party’s mobilisation efforts.
He described Tinubu as a “true democrat,” arguing that the President was able to balance his responsibilities as Nigeria’s leader with his role as leader of the governing political party.
According to him, the support from the APC’s national leadership demonstrated the party’s commitment to strengthening its organisation in Osun State.
Oyintiloye said the APC’s performance in the election should also be viewed in the context of the party contesting against the incumbent administration in the state.
He argued that the votes secured by the APC showed that the party remained a major political force in Osun and possessed the structure necessary to compete strongly in future elections.
However, claims about the precise number of votes secured by the APC should be treated cautiously until they are matched against the official final figures released by INEC. INEC remains the authoritative source for the official declaration and election results.
The APC chieftain also expressed appreciation to former Osun State Governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, for his continued commitment to the party.
He described Oyetola as a resilient leader whose efforts had continued to inspire members of the APC despite the party’s current position outside the state government.
Oyintiloye further commended Hon. James Faleke for his organisational experience and grassroots mobilisation, saying his contributions had strengthened the party’s structures during the election period.
He also praised APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, for his leadership and efforts to consolidate the party in Osun.
“The result may not have been what we desired, but the political strength we have demonstrated is undeniable,” Oyintiloye said.
He maintained that the work done during the election should not be discarded because the APC failed to achieve its immediate objective.
“What we have built is bigger than one election. We have strengthened our structures, tested our capacity and demonstrated our resilience. Our responsibility now is to learn from the outcome, remain united and prepare for the future,” he said.
Oyintiloye urged APC members across Osun’s 30 local government areas to remain calm and committed while the party reviews the election.
He said the party should focus on improving internal cohesion, strengthening grassroots mobilisation and engaging more directly with residents rather than allowing an electoral setback to weaken its organisation.
“Politics is not about winning every election. It is about building enduring structures, maintaining the confidence of the people and remaining prepared for the next opportunity,” he said.
His comments come as political parties begin assessing the outcome of the August 15 poll and positioning themselves for the next electoral cycle.
The APC had entered the Osun contest with Bola Oyebamiji as its governorship candidate, while the election was one of the major off-cycle polls scheduled by INEC for 2026.
For Oyintiloye, the immediate task for the APC is therefore not to dwell on disappointment but to turn the lessons of the election into a stronger political organisation capable of mounting a more competitive challenge in 2027.
The APC chieftain’s message is clear: the Osun election may be over, but the party’s political rebuilding, he says, must begin immediately.
