The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised a member of the House of Representatives, Bamidele Salam, over his recent comments on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the party’s governorship candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, and the Director-General of its campaign committee, Wole Oke.
In a statement issued on Thursday, April 16, 2026, the party described Salam’s criticism as “uncharitable, ill-informed, and misleading,” accusing him of making derogatory remarks during an appearance on Channels Television.
The statement, signed by the Osun APC Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, alleged that the lawmaker’s comments were driven by political frustration and aimed at discrediting the party’s leadership and candidates ahead of the August 15, 2026, governorship election in the state.
According to the APC, Salam’s description of Oyebamiji as a weak candidate was unfounded. The party maintained that its flagbearer possesses the competence and experience required to lead Osun State.
“It was uncharitable of Salam to have described our well-read, witty, workaholic and highly cerebral governorship candidate as a weakling who will not be able to win his federal constituency during the forthcoming election,” the statement read.
The party further accused the federal lawmaker of attempting to undermine the credibility of its campaign leadership, insisting that the appointment of Oke as Director-General had strengthened its chances in the forthcoming poll.
The APC also defended President Tinubu against Salam’s alleged criticisms, stating that any comparison between the president and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke was misplaced. It argued that Tinubu’s leadership record remains a benchmark in governance and national development.
Reacting to concerns over the redeployment of electoral officials ahead of the election, the party noted that the transfer of personnel within the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is a routine administrative process. It urged stakeholders to refrain from politicising internal decisions of the electoral body.
The APC, however, alleged that there were underlying political motives behind the opposition’s reaction to the transfer of the Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner, though it provided no evidence to substantiate its claims.
The party expressed confidence in its chances at the polls, stating that no amount of criticism from political opponents would hinder its victory in the forthcoming election.
“We state unequivocally that no amount of outbursts from Salam and his political associates will prevent the imminent defeat of his preferred candidate in the forthcoming governorship election,” the statement added.
As of the time of filing this report, Salam had yet to respond to the allegations levelled against him by the Osun APC.
The governorship election in Osun State is scheduled for August 15, 2026, with political activities intensifying across party lines.
