Former presidential aide and political strategist, Babafemi Ojudu, has offered a striking post-election assessment of the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) defeat in Osun State, listing a combination of economic hardship, internal party conflicts, controversial political statements and campaign miscalculations as major factors behind the party’s loss.
In a candid assessment titled “Those Who Defeated the APC in Osun State,” Ojudu argued that the outcome was not the result of a single factor but the cumulative effect of several mistakes and circumstances that worked in favour of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
At the top of his list was hunger and economic hardship, which he said created a difficult environment for the ruling party.
Ojudu also pointed to the conduct of the Edo State Governor, whose alleged insulting and ill-advised comments about Governor Adeleke, according to him, generated resentment and ultimately strengthened support for the incumbent.
He further identified the decision to freeze Osun State Government accounts as another factor that may have worked against the APC, suggesting that such actions could have deepened public sympathy for Adeleke.
Another major controversy highlighted by Ojudu was the alleged statement attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who was reportedly accused of calling for the killing of members of the Accord Party. The controversy, regardless of the senator’s subsequent explanations, became a political burden for the APC.
Ojudu also took aim at Hon. Wole Oke, accusing him of moving around the state boasting about the influence and power of President Bola Tinubu.
But perhaps his most damaging criticism was reserved for the APC’s handling of its candidate.
According to Ojudu, former Osun Governor Gboyega Oyetola contributed to the party’s defeat by imposing an unpopular candidate and denying party members the opportunity to freely choose their preferred flag-bearer.
He also criticised APC governors and national party leaders for descending on Osun in a manner that, in his assessment, created the impression that they had come to “conquer” rather than persuade the people.
And then came Adeleke’s unconventional political advantage.
Ojudu credited the Osun governor’s highly visible personality, including his now-famous dance performances, as part of the campaign’s appeal. He also acknowledged the enormous crowd-pulling influence of music star Davido, whose involvement helped generate excitement around Adeleke’s campaign.
The former presidential aide further argued that Adeleke’s decision to commission numerous projects shortly before the election gave the governor significant visibility, while the involvement of traditional rulers at some of the events added political legitimacy and strengthened his public image.
But Ojudu’s biggest praise went to the people of Osun.
He described them as determined and fearless, particularly for resisting alleged attempts by thugs to disrupt the electoral process, claiming that some voters confronted the attackers and even seized weapons from them.
He also credited the creativity of Osun voters, especially the campaign songs and political satire that ridiculed the APC and helped shape the mood of the election.
Ojudu did not spare Adeleke’s campaign team either. He specifically praised the governor’s strategists for preparing him effectively for the election debate, arguing that Adeleke performed beyond the expectations of many observers.
He reserved perhaps his strongest professional compliment for the governor’s media team.
“Give it to them. They did a good job,” Ojudu acknowledged, effectively conceding that Adeleke’s media operation played a significant role in shaping the narrative of the election.
Ojudu’s assessment therefore presents the APC defeat as more than a failure at the ballot box. It is a warning about what happens when economic hardship meets internal party grievances, controversial political rhetoric, unpopular candidate selection and a campaign that fails to connect with voters.
For the APC, the bigger question now is not simply who defeated the party in Osun, but whether its leaders are prepared to confront the mistakes that made defeat possible.
Because if Ojudu’s own diagnosis is correct, Adeleke did not defeat the APC alone—the APC helped defeat itself.
