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“APC Lost Partly Because of the Abuja Politicians” — Nasarawa Gov. Abdullahi Sule Says, Blames ‘Abuja Politicians’ for APC’s Osun Defeat, Warns of Power of Incumbency
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“APC Lost Partly Because of the Abuja Politicians” — Nasarawa Gov. Abdullahi Sule Says, Blames ‘Abuja Politicians’ for APC’s Osun Defeat, Warns of Power of Incumbency
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has blamed the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s defeat in the August 2026 Osun State governorship election partly on interference by “Abuja politicians”, while warning that the influence of a sitting governor should never be underestimated in an electoral contest.
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Sule made the remarks on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in Lafia, while presenting Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) acknowledgement slips to APC governorship and State House of Assembly candidates in Nasarawa State.
Reflecting on the outcome of the Osun election, the governor argued that the APC would have had a better chance of winning the state if not for what he described as interference by political actors from Abuja.
“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 said.
He also pointed to the formidable advantage enjoyed by an incumbent governor, stressing that the political influence attached to occupying the governor’s office could significantly shape the outcome of an election.
“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.”
Sule further took aim at those celebrating the APC’s defeat, arguing that the result should instead be interpreted as a demonstration of the strength of incumbency.
“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.”
The Nasarawa governor subsequently drew a comparison with the political situation in his own state, warning that Nasarawa also has “one hell of a sitting governor”, an apparent reference to himself as the state prepares for future political contests.
His comments came against the backdrop of a closely watched Osun governorship election in which incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke emerged victorious, defeating APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji.
Adeleke polled 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji secured 444,815 votes, giving the incumbent a winning margin of 66,252 votes. African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Najeem Salaam finished third with 17,180 votes.
The incumbent won 19 of Osun’s 30 local government areas, while the APC candidate secured victory in 11.
The election was considered a major political test for the APC, particularly because Osun is situated in the South-West, the political stronghold of President Bola Tinubu.
Adeleke had originally won the Osun governorship election in 2022 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before moving to the Accord Party. His re-election campaign was boosted by the advantages of incumbency, grassroots structures and perceptions of his administration’s performance.
The result has since generated discussions within political circles over the APC’s strategy, internal coordination and the impact of local political structures on electoral outcomes.
For Sule, however, the Osun result offered a clear lesson about the power wielded by sitting governors, a factor he believes political parties and their candidates must carefully consider when preparing for future elections.
The Nasarawa governor also praised President Bola Tinubu’s performance in office, reaffirming his support for the President as the APC continues to consolidate its political structure ahead of upcoming electoral contests.