Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has attributed the All Progressives Congress (APC) defeat in the 2026 Osun State governorship election to interference from Abuja-based politicians. Speaking on Tuesday, August 18, in Lafia, during a ceremony where Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) acknowledgement slips were presented to APC gubernatorial and state House of Assembly candidates ahead of the 2027 elections, Sule said the party could have won in Osun if not for these external influences.
“APC lost partly because of the Abuja politicians, you know, because if not for some of these Abuja politicians, there was no way for APC to lose in Osun,” Sule stated. His remarks come as a video of his assessment trends on social media, drawing attention to internal party dynamics.
Governor Sule Warns on the Power of Sitting Governors
Beyond apportioning blame, Sule highlighted a broader lesson from the Osun result: the authority a sitting governor holds over electoral outcomes in their state. “What it means is that the power of a sitting governor is not something you can joke around with. That's the message that was sent, actually, in Osun,” he said.
He criticized those celebrating the APC’s loss, arguing they misunderstood the implications. “So, for people who are celebrating, they don't even understand what the hell they are celebrating. What they are celebrating is that the power of a sitting governor in Osun is what has stopped them from winning,” Sule added. He then referenced his own position, noting that Nasarawa “has one hell of a sitting governor,” though he avoided making direct predictions about the 2027 elections.
Sule Urges APC Candidates to Avoid Anti-Party Activities
Addressing the APC candidates present, Sule urged them to run loyal campaigns and avoid covertly supporting opponents from rival parties. “When you are campaigning, campaign for APC. Don't go with the drama that maybe I can actually campaign for myself and campaign for another candidate of another party, if you do that, you know, people will see,” he cautioned.
He further stressed, “I don't believe in this anti-party, I don't believe in this realignment, I don't believe in that. And I'm begging you also not to believe in the same.” The governor also advised candidates to promptly contact INEC to correct any spelling errors on their acknowledgement slips, ensuring accurate details on ballot papers.
Deputy Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Mohammed Oyanki, confirmed that representatives from all 24 state constituencies attended the event. He informed the governor that members from the Nasarawa Northern Zone had a “special assignment” to support Sule’s expected senatorial campaign after his tenure as governor ends.
In a related development, Legit.ng reported that Olusegun Mimiko, a former governor of Ondo, formally joined the APC. Mimiko, who governed Ondo between 2009 and 2016, had resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Joining the ruling party at the APC secretariat in Ward 7, Ondo West Local Government Area (LGA), Mimiko said he took the decision to join President Bola Tinubu in moving the country forward.
