A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Chief Abiola Ogundokun, has blamed the party’s defeat in the August 15 governorship election on alleged internal sabotage.
Ogundokun said some members of the APC worked against the party’s candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, during the election.
The APC leader made the allegation while reacting to attempts to blame the party’s loss on former Osun State Governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
He insisted that Oyetola should not be held responsible for the outcome of the election, saying the former governor gave the contest his full support.
According to him, the major problem confronting the APC in the election was the failure of some members to work together for the success of the party.
Ogundokun, a former National Publicity Director of the defunct National Party of Nigeria, said the party entered the election with divisions among its members.
He maintained that Oyetola remained committed to the APC campaign and did everything within his capacity to secure victory for the party.
He said, “Alhaji Oyetola gave the election his all. He put round pegs in round holes. He worked tirelessly, he led from the front, and showed commitment, courage and passion. During the struggle, Oyetola never lost his humanity; his watchword was peace and integrity.
“But among a large gathering of disciples, you cannot rule out some Judases. There were some Judases, some black sheep within our flock. They were the ones who opened the backdoor. The Osun APC did all that should be done to ensure victory, but the internal saboteurs worked in the interest of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
“What they fail to realise is that it is only God who enthrones and gives power; no scheming does. President Bola Tinubu is an example of such grace. Look at the obstacles placed in his way in 2023; did he not surmount them all and come out victorious?”
The APC chieftain said the party must look beyond the election result and address the divisions that contributed to its performance.
He urged party members to put aside personal differences and rebuild the organisation ahead of future elections.
Ogundokun also appealed to Oyetola not to allow the outcome of the election or alleged betrayal by some party members to discourage him.
He drew comparisons with political figures who, according to him, experienced betrayal from people within their political circles.
The octogenarian politician recalled the experiences of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, former Premier of the Western Region, and Chief Bola Ige, a former governor of the old Oyo State.
He said the experiences of the two political leaders showed that betrayal was not new in politics.
Ogundokun further declared his continued support for Oyetola, describing him as a leader who remained committed to the APC and the interests of the state.
He also called on members of the Osun APC to close ranks around the former governor rather than engage in what he described as a campaign of calumny against him.
“I urge our members to stop the campaign of calumny against Oyetola. In fact, the party owes him gratitude for his leadership and love,” Ogundokun said.
He specifically named former Osun State Governor and APC elder Chief Bisi Akande, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun and himself among those who remained supportive of Oyetola.
The statement came after the APC suffered defeat in the keenly contested Osun governorship election.
The election was won by incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, who contested on the platform of the Accord Party.
The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke winner after he secured 511,067 votes across the state.
APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji finished second with 444,815 votes, leaving a margin of 66,252 votes between the two leading candidates.
Adeleke won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured victory in 11 councils.
The result represented another setback for the APC in its effort to regain control of Osun State after losing the governorship to Adeleke in 2022.
Oyebamiji had entered the 2026 contest with the backing of the APC structure and support from several prominent figures in the party, including Oyetola.
Oyebamiji himself later called for unity within the party and urged APC members to prepare for the 2027 general elections.
He also acknowledged the contributions of Oyetola and other party leaders to his campaign.
Ogundokun, however, took his argument further by alleging that some APC members did not genuinely work for the party’s victory.
He accused unnamed members of helping Adeleke’s political interest from within the APC structure.
The party chieftain did not provide specific names of the alleged internal saboteurs in his statement, but described them as “Judases” and “black sheep” who allegedly opened the way for the opposition to defeat the APC.
Ogundokun used the occasion to declare his support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
He argued that the Federal Government had recorded achievements in the areas of the economy and security which, in his view, should be considered by Nigerians ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The APC chieftain cited Nigeria’s reported second-quarter 2026 real GDP growth of 4.43 per cent as part of the economic performance he believes should be taken into account.
“I urge Nigerians to consider the economic and security achievements Tinubu has made, and reward him with another term to continue the task of fixing our great nation.”
Ogundokun also criticised opposition figures Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, describing them as unfit to lead the country.
He urged APC members in Osun to remain focused and avoid actions that could further deepen the divisions within the party.