Osogbo, Nigeria – August 15, 2026
Former Senator Shehu Sani has drawn attention to what he described as a stark contrast in political mobilisation between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties as the Osun State governorship election gets underway.
In a post shared on his official X account on Saturday, Sani noted that several influential figures of the ruling party had converged on Osun State to support their candidate, while prominent opposition leaders were noticeably absent from the state during the crucial electoral exercise.
According to the former lawmaker, the situation has left the incumbent governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, facing a tough political battle without the visible presence and backing of senior figures from the opposition camp.
“All the big shots of the ruling party are in the state the Governorship election is taking place. The big shots of the opposition are somewhere else; leaving the incumbent Governor to battle for his life,” Sani wrote.
His remarks underscore the heightened political tension surrounding the Osun governorship election, widely regarded as one of the most closely watched contests in the country.
Political observers often view the presence of high-profile party leaders during elections as a key indicator of a party’s commitment to securing victory. Such figures typically play vital roles in coordinating campaign efforts, energising supporters, and reinforcing confidence within party structures.
By contrasting the strong physical presence of APC leaders with the apparent absence of notable opposition figures, Sani suggested that the ruling party had demonstrated a higher level of political engagement and strategic mobilisation in the state.
While the former senator did not identify the opposition leaders he was referring to or provide reasons for their absence, his comments have sparked discussions about the importance of visible political support during high-stakes elections.
As voting progresses across Osun State, attention remains focused on how party organisation, grassroots mobilisation, and voter turnout will influence the outcome of the governorship race.