The National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dayo Israel, has identified President Bola Tinubu, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and Afrobeats singer Davido as the three personalities who played defining roles in the outcome of the 2026 Osun governorship election. 

Israel made the assessment while reflecting on the APC’s defeat in a post on X. He said the party must confront “bitter truths” ahead of the 2027 general election, particularly its weak mobilisation structures and failure to effectively engage young voters. 

Adeleke, who contested on the platform of the Accord Party, won re-election with 511,067 votes, defeating APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes. 

Tinubu’s role

Israel praised President Tinubu for what he described as restraint during the election. He argued that the President could have used federal institutions and security agencies to influence the contest in APC’s favour but chose not to.

According to him, Tinubu’s approach demonstrates that his commitment to democracy is not limited to elections that favour the APC. He also referenced previous off-cycle elections, including Anambra and Bayelsa, where opposition parties retained power under Tinubu’s administration. 

Adeleke’s grassroots appeal

Israel also credited Adeleke’s strong connection with grassroots voters as a major factor in his victory.

He argued that Adeleke’s dancing, singing, accessibility and public persona, which are sometimes mocked by political opponents, actually helped the governor establish an emotional connection with ordinary voters.

“Governor Adeleke’s dancing was never a weakness. It was a political language,” Israel said, arguing that the governor’s public persona made him more accessible and culturally connected to voters.

He said the APC should learn that elections are not won solely through elite acceptance or Abuja-based approval, but through understanding and connecting with voters at the grassroots. 

Davido’s influence

Israel identified Davido, Adeleke’s nephew, as another important factor, particularly in mobilising young voters.

He said Davido used his influence, networks, music and digital reach to connect Adeleke’s campaign with younger voters and brought other artistes, influencers and young voices into the campaign.

In contrast, Israel said the APC relied heavily on governors, senators and former political office holders, without sufficiently deploying young people capable of mobilising their peers. 

APC’s internal weaknesses

The APC youth leader said some of the problems that contributed to the party’s defeat in the 2022 Osun election resurfaced in 2026, particularly division, weak reconciliation and fragmented mobilisation.

He also criticised the limited involvement of the APC National Youth Wing in preparations for the election and argued that the party’s recognised structures were sidelined in favour of ad hoc arrangements.

Israel called for the party’s youth and women wings to be treated as genuine political structures rather than being mobilised mainly to provide crowds at rallies. 

He congratulated Adeleke and the people of Osun State on the election outcome while commending Oyebamiji, APC members, agents and volunteers.

He urged the APC to use the defeat as an opportunity for an honest review of its mobilisation strategy and internal structures ahead of 2027.