The Strategic Advantages Gov. Ademola Adeleke Might Gain By Contesting Under APGA

 

**THE STRATEGIC ADVANTAGES GOV. ADEMOLA ADELEKE MIGHT GAIN BY CONTESTING UNDER APGA**

By Wole Adedoyin

As political permutations deepen ahead of the next Osun governorship election, the possibility of Governor Ademola Adeleke contesting under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has generated significant interest.

For a sitting governor seeking a smooth and strategically advantageous path to re-election, APGA presents several compelling opportunities.

One of the most attractive advantages is APGA’s remarkable internal unity. Unlike major parties constantly grappling with factions, court injunctions, suspended executives, and parallel state structures, APGA stands out today as one of the few national parties without a leadership crisis. The absence of internal conflict means Adeleke would not need to expend valuable energy managing intraparty wars. Instead, he could focus squarely on governance and campaigning, knowing that the party machinery is intact, loyal, and crisis-free.

APGA’s recent electoral successes further strengthen its appeal. The party has demonstrated renewed visibility and competitiveness by winning recent by-elections and, most notably, the governorship election that returned Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo with an emphatic mandate. These victories have re-energized APGA supporters nationwide and positioned the party as a credible electoral force. For Adeleke, joining a party currently riding on victory momentum could inject fresh enthusiasm into his campaign and help him consolidate non-PDP, non-APC voters in Osun.

Another strategic advantage lies in Governor Adeleke’s cordial, respectful, and cooperative relationship with the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Despite belonging to different political parties, Adeleke has maintained a mature and development-focused relationship with the President—particularly in areas such as infrastructure support, security collaboration, and federal intervention programs. Contesting under APGA, a party that maintains a politically neutral and non-hostile posture toward the presidency, would allow Adeleke to preserve and possibly deepen this productive relationship.

Importantly, APGA is not viewed by the ruling APC as a direct enemy, unlike major opposition parties that constantly clash with the federal government. This neutral positioning means that an APGA governor can enjoy full federal cooperation without partisan tension. For Adeleke, this presents a strategically beneficial balance: he can remain independent of the APC while still enjoying friendly relations with the President and federal institutions, ensuring uninterrupted development for Osun State.

APGA also provides Adeleke with a platform that aligns closely with his public reputation. Known for being people-oriented, accessible, and development-driven, Adeleke’s leadership style fits naturally with APGA’s philosophy of grassroots empowerment and community-centered governance. Running under APGA would allow him to amplify his image as a governor who prioritizes service delivery over partisan battles, a message that resonates strongly with Osun’s increasingly performance-conscious electorate.

Additionally, APGA’s disciplined and loyal grassroots structure could become a major advantage for Adeleke. The party has a long history of building strong community networks, especially in areas where candidates enjoy personal popularity. By leveraging APGA’s compact but effective mobilization machinery, Adeleke could consolidate a formidable electoral base, blending his statewide influence with APGA’s organized political structure to create a powerful winning synergy.

The growing national acceptance of APGA also plays into Adeleke’s strategic calculations. Contrary to outdated perceptions of APGA as a regional party, its recent electoral expansion and improved national outreach have made it a more balanced and widely recognized platform. Contesting under such a party would not diminish Adeleke’s national relevance; instead, it could portray him as a reform-minded leader willing to champion a more inclusive political alternative.

Furthermore, joining APGA could disrupt traditional voting patterns and create a third-force effect in Osun politics. With both APC and PDP experiencing internal disagreements and declining voter trust, Adeleke could position himself as the candidate of stability, unity, and performance. Such a strategic move would allow him to attract undecided voters, youth groups, civil society clusters, and others who want a break from the dominance of the two major parties.

In summary, contesting under APGA offers Governor Ademola Adeleke a wide array of strategic advantages: a stable and crisis-free party, an energized platform with recent electoral victories, alignment with his good working relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and synergy with his personal governance style. Combined with his popularity and performance record, APGA could provide Adeleke with the most stable, strategic, and politically beneficial pathway to secure his re-election and further deepen development in Osun State.