As Nigeria marked Democracy Day, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State used the occasion to make a surprising demand: more accountable leadership and progressive governance. Speaking at a Democracy Day programme organised by the Civil Society Committee of the APC 2026 Campaign Council, the party’s governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji – represented by his running mate, Kayode Adereti – called on Nigerians to hold leaders accountable. The party is now preparing for the August 15 governorship election.
Who delivered the APC’s Democracy Day message?
The message came from the APC’s governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, delivered through his running mate, Kayode Adereti. Other speakers included the Director-General of the APC Osun 2026 Governorship Campaign Council, Hon. Oluwole Oke, and the APC candidate for Osun Central Senatorial District, Kunle Rasheed Adegoke (SAN). The party also brought in the National Commissioner representing Oyo and Osun States at the Federal Civil Service Commission, Dr. Gboyega Oyebade.
Where did the event take place?
The Democracy Day programme was held in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State. The event was organised by the Civil Society Committee of the APC 2026 Campaign Council – essentially a campaign event dressed in Democracy Day clothing.
What exactly did the APC call for?
The party called for “more accountable leadership and progressive governance.” Adereti urged citizens to hold leaders accountable while supporting their efforts to deliver democracy’s dividends. He also invoked the legacy of Chief M.K.O. Abiola, calling him a “late hero” and urging leaders to make sacrifices. Hon. Oluwole Oke added that democracy must translate into tangible benefits: better infrastructure, quality education, accessible healthcare, economic opportunities, and social justice.
When did this happen?
The event occurred on Friday, June 12, 2026 – Democracy Day. The news was published on June 12, 2026.
Why is the APC making these calls now?
Because the August 15 governorship election is approaching. The APC is presenting itself as the party of accountability and good governance. By invoking MKO Abiola and the ideals of democracy, the party is trying to align itself with the popular memory of June 12. The subtext is clear: vote for APC if you want accountable leadership.
How does the APC plan to back up these calls if elected?
The party did not offer a detailed policy plan at the event. Instead, it focused on general principles: accountability, progressive governance, and tangible benefits. Dr. Gboyega Oyebade explicitly canvassed support for Oyebamiji ahead of the August 15 election. The message was less about governance and more about campaigning.
5 striking observations from Osun APC’s Democracy Day call for accountability.
1. The APC is asking voters to hold leaders accountable – but they have been in power at the federal level since 2015. This is the most glaring irony. The APC is the ruling party nationally. If accountability is lacking, the APC must answer for its own record. Calling for accountability while in power is a risky strategy – voters may ask why the party has not held itself accountable over the past decade.
2. The event was a campaign rally disguised as a Democracy Day programme. The event was organised by the “Civil Society Committee of the APC 2026 Campaign Council.” That is not an independent civil society group. It is a party campaign structure. The programme was an opportunity to talk about Oyebamiji, not just about democracy.
3. The party invoked MKO Abiola – a hero of democracy – to promote its candidate. Invoking Abiola is standard political rhetoric. But it is also risky. Abiola is revered across party lines. Using his name for partisan advantage can backfire if voters feel the party is exploiting his legacy.
4. Hon. Oluwole Oke listed specific deliverables: infrastructure, education, healthcare, economic opportunities. Unlike some political speeches that stay in the abstract, Oke mentioned concrete policy areas. That is good. Voters can now ask: where are the APC’s specific plans for these sectors? The party has given a checklist; now it must fill in the details.
5. The call for accountability came with a warning: support the leaders who are trying to succeed. Adereti said: “give them the support they need to succeed.” That is a common political formulation. It means: we are accountable, but do not criticise us too harshly. Accountability without the ability to criticise is not accountability at all.
How this affects the Osun governorship election.
i. The APC is trying to frame the election as a choice between accountable governance and something else. By emphasising accountability, the party is implicitly accusing the current administration of lacking it. That frames the election as a referendum on Governor Adeleke’s record – which may be a winning strategy if voters are unhappy.
ii. The party is also trying to capture the legacy of June 12 for its own candidate. Democracy Day is a powerful symbol. By holding a major event on June 12, the APC is associating Oyebamiji with the ideals of the pro-democracy movement. That association may sway undecided voters.
iii. The event highlighted the APC’s civil society connections. The involvement of civil society advocates like Comrade Amitolu Shittu suggests the party is trying to build a broad coalition. That could help with voters who are sceptical of purely partisan appeals.
iv. The APC’s call for accountability may backfire if the party is seen as hypocritical. Voters have long memories. If the APC is perceived as failing at the federal level, its call for accountability in Osun may be dismissed as empty talk.
v. The August 15 election will now be contested under the shadow of June 12 symbolism. Both parties will invoke the pro-democracy heroes. Voters will have to decide which party truly embodies the ideals of June 12 – and which is just using the date for political gain.
Advice from this analyst.
1. To the APC Osun State: you have called for accountability. Now publish your manifesto. Show voters exactly how you will deliver the infrastructure, education, healthcare, and opportunities you promised. A call for accountability without a plan is just noise.
2. To Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji: you are asking voters to hold leaders accountable. That includes you. Release your personal assets declaration. Publish your campaign finances. Be the example of transparency you are demanding of others.
3. To the voters of Osun State: listen to the APC’s calls for accountability. Then look at the federal APC’s record. Ask yourself: have they been accountable at the national level? If not, why would they be different at the state level?
4. To civil society groups: this event used the name of civil society. Distinguish yourselves. Independent groups should monitor the election – not serve as campaign props. If you are truly civil society, your loyalty is to the people, not to any party.
5. To the media: do not let the APC’s Democracy Day event be covered as neutral news. Report what was said. But also report the context: that the event was organised by a campaign council, that the speakers are candidates, and that the purpose was political. Accuracy requires context.
A question to make you reflect.
If the APC in Osun is calling for accountable governance on Democracy Day – while the party remains in power at the federal level – why should voters believe that the APC will be more accountable in Osun than it has been in Abuja?
The honest answer is that they should not believe it without evidence. Words on Democracy Day are cheap. A manifesto is better. A track record is best. The APC has a track record at the federal level. Voters can judge for themselves whether that record is one of accountability. If they find it lacking, no Democracy Day speech will persuade them otherwise. The party is asking for trust. Trust is earned – not declared at a press conference.
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Akahi News gathered that the Osun APC spent Democracy Day calling for accountable governance. The party invoked MKO Abiola. It listed infrastructure, education, and healthcare as priorities. It demanded that leaders be held responsible. But the party is the ruling party at the federal level. Its candidate is seeking to lead Osun. Voters will now decide: does the APC practice what it preaches? Or is this just another political speech, timed for June 12, destined to be forgotten by August 15? The election will provide the answer.