Osun guber victory ‘ll be our rehearsal for 2027 general elections – Yilwatda

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, has declared that his party has all it takes to win elections at all levels, saying the forthcoming governorship election in Osun state will be the ruling party’s rehearsal for the political machine for 2027.

According to Yilwatda, the APC has all it takes to win elections in Nigeria from councilllorship elections to local government elections, National Assembly elections, House of Assembly elections, governorship elections, and ultimately the presidential election in 2027.

Speaking Tuesday in Abuja during the inauguration of the APC 291 National Campaign Council members for Osun Governorship Election slated for August 15th, 2026, Yilwatda said winning the next Saturday’s election “is a must for APC.”

Prof. Yilwatda said: “Today’s exercise is one of our major tests. Coming to the South-West, this is the last governorship election before the 2027 general election. This will be our litmus test. It will measure our level of preparedness for 2027.

“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.

“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.”

He urged the members of the committee headed by the Imo state governor Hope Uzodimma to mobilise for the women, youths and people living with disability for the election.

In his response, the Chairman of the Campaign Council, Governor Uzodimma said his team will listen to the people of Osun state, speak to their hopes and aspirations, earn their confidence and convince them to vote for the APC and the governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO.

“He is a tested, competent and people-centred candidate whose vision is anchored on prudent leadership, inclusive prosperity and renewed confidence in government.

“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.

“We shall work as one team, with one purpose and one destination: victory.

“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,” he said.