Alhaja Ero Arike, a prominent woman leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, has broken her silence following the defeat of the party's governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, in the August 15, 2026 election. In a video message, Arike described the outcome as part of the uncertainties inherent in political contests, stating, "As you and I all know, politics is a gamble, sometimes you win, and other times, you lose. This is the harsh reality of the game."
Election Results and Arike's Reaction
Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party won the election with 511,067 votes, defeating Oyebamiji of the APC, who polled 444,815 votes. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially declared Adeleke the winner, prompting reactions from various political figures, including Arike.
Arike, known for her vocal criticism of Adeleke, underscored that victory and defeat are inevitable in politics. Her remarks came as APC supporters across Osun adjusted to the outcome of an election the party had hoped to reclaim from Adeleke.
Arike Recalls Supporting Adeleke in Previous Election
Reflecting on past political contests, Arike revealed that she had once supported Ademola Adeleke during his first governorship bid, which he lost to former Governor Gboyega Oyetola. She explained that she later decamped to the APC but noted that political setbacks are not unusual.
"I have once supported Nurudeen Jackson back in the days when he lost to Gboyega Oyetola at his first shot at governorship, before I then decamped to APC," she said. Her comments drew a parallel between Adeleke's earlier defeat and Oyebamiji's recent loss.
'This Loss Is Not the End of the World'
Despite the APC's defeat, Arike assured Oyebamiji of her continued support and urged him not to be discouraged. "I want to assure Oyebamiji that I and many others are still firm behind him. We are still steadfast in our support for him. This loss is not the end of the world," she stated.
She also drew a Quranic comparison to console the APC candidate, noting that even a prophet had experienced a major setback. Her statement comes as the party reassesses its strategy ahead of future elections in the state.
Osun 2026: Three Major Contenders
Earlier reports indicated that Osun State's governorship election featured 14 candidates on the ballot. Among them, three emerged as the most prominent: incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Bola Oyebamiji of the APC, and Najeem Salam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The result grants Adeleke another term in office, while Oyebamiji and the APC are expected to regroup and prepare for subsequent political contests in Osun State.
