The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has faulted comments made by a member of the House of Representatives, Bamidele Salam, over his criticism of President Bola Tinubu, the party’s governorship candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, and the Director-General of its campaign committee, Oluwole Oke.
The party, in a statement issued on Thursday by its Director of Media and Information, Chief Kola Olabisi, described Salam’s remarks as uncharitable, ill-informed, and misleading.
The APC said Salam’s comments during a television programme, where he criticised President Tinubu, Oyebamiji, and Oke, were unwarranted and lacked factual basis, describing him as a frustrated politician.
The party said, “The tone of the Salam tantrums against our calm and calculated governorship candidate who is not only well brought up but also imbued with an abundant native intelligence showed that the rudderless federal lawmaker is pained that we ceaselessly rejected the overtures of his boss to defect into our party which made him the first ever state governor to be denied of such overture in the political history of Nigeria.”
The party stated that Salam’s description of its governorship candidate as a weak contender was unfounded, insisting that Oyebamiji has demonstrated competence and capacity in both public and private service.
“We know it is desirable for Salam to attack the AMBO who is destined and benignantly positioned to render his unproductive political compass jobless on the 15th of August, 2026 in order to prove to the Ede country home his blind continuous loyalty to the embattled and unproductive political characters of the Accord Party’s extraction which, in the jaundiced estimation of the federal lawmaker, could facilitate his re-election bid in the subsequent election.” The party stated.
The APC noted that the appointment of Oluwole Oke as Director-General of the party’s campaign committee has further strengthened its mobilisation efforts ahead of the election.
According to the party, Oke’s role in the campaign structure has unsettled opposition elements, who now fear the outcome of the election.
The APC dismissed concerns raised by Salam over the transfer of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Osun State, describing the development as a routine administrative decision within the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
It stated that such transfers are standard practice and should not be politicised or misinterpreted.
The party also criticised comparisons allegedly made between President Tinubu and Governor Ademola Adeleke, noting that both leaders operate at different levels and under different circumstances.
It insisted that President Tinubu’s leadership and policies remain focused on national development and reforms.
The APC further argued that its governorship candidate has continued to engage actively with voters across the state, presenting his plans and vision ahead of the election.
It added that the party remains confident of victory, citing what it described as increasing support from residents across various local government areas.
The party noted no amount of criticism from opposition figures would derail the APC’s chances in the forthcoming election, expressing optimism that voters would make informed decisions based on performance and credibility.
