Rasheed Jimoh, an aide to the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, has said the former Osun Central Senator should not be held solely responsible for the party’s loss in the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
In a post on his Facebook page, Jimoh argued that focusing blame on the APC National Secretary amounts to ignoring broader issues within the party, warning that such an approach could further divide the APC ahead of future elections.
Referencing some of the results in the August 15 poll, Jimoh said APC lost Osogbo by 6,006 votes but won Olorunda by 1,157 votes, resulting in a deficit of less than 5,000 votes in the area.
The statement questioned whether other prominent APC leaders from the zone, including the senatorial candidate of the APC, Kunle Adegoke (SAN)a federal appointee, Olalekan Badmus and a presidential aide, also failed in their responsibilities.
The statement further examined results from Osun West Senatorial District, where the party lost by 44,955 votes.
It recalled that APC lost the same district by 28,000 votes in 2022, the same margin by which former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola lost the governorship election that year.
The writer asked if leaders from the district, including those who pushed for the candidate to emerge from the zone, should also be blamed.
Citing other local governments, Jimoh noted that APC lost in Iwo for the first time and also recorded reduced margins in areas like Boripe and Ayedire local governments.
The writer also raised questions about the performance of other key campaign leaders, including the party’s campaign Director General and candidates in various federal constituencies.
He asked whether their inability to deliver their bases should also be linked to the National Secretary.
Defending Dr. Basiru’s role, Jimoh said the National Secretary campaigned in over 12 local governments with the candidate and consistently spoke against the policies of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
He added that he also made his position clear before traditional institutions in Osogbo that no one should use a purported governorship deal to blackmail Osogbo people.
Jimoh argued that Dr. Basiru has become a recurring target whenever the party loses an election, despite his own political stakes.
He noted that in 2022, when Dr. Basiru was contesting for Senate, he was also blamed for the governorship outcome.
The post concluded by urging APC leaders to focus on rebuilding the party ahead of the 2027 state and National Assembly elections rather than apportioning blame to one individual. It called for dialogue with those behind the allegations to clarify the specific roles expected of the National Secretary.
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