The Leader of the Senate and Chairman of the South-West Caucus in the National Assembly, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) is better positioned to defeat Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke in Saturday’s governorship election.

Bamidele, in a statement issued on Wednesday, argued that the APC had overcome the internal divisions that contributed to its defeat in the 2022 election, while the political structure that supported Adeleke’s victory had weakened.

He said the election, involving about 2.339 million registered voters across 30 local government areas, 332 wards and 3,763 polling units, represented a critical opportunity for Osun voters to determine the direction of the state for the next four years.

According to him, the APC is now more cohesive and better organised, while Adeleke’s political structure has suffered setbacks arising from strained relationships with some political allies.

Bamidele attributed the APC’s improved position partly to what he described as the disintegration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which helped Adeleke secure victory in 2022.

He noted that Adeleke subsequently moved to the Accord Party after the faction of the PDP to which he belonged lost its legal battle over control of the party and recognition by the electoral umpire.

The senator said political structure, rather than incumbency alone, remains a major determinant of electoral success, describing it as the political capital, grassroots influence and public confidence built by a party over time.

He questioned whether Accord could mobilise sufficient political support to secure Adeleke’s re-election, arguing that the party had limited electoral history and political structure in Osun State.

Bamidele also pointed to the defection of some lawmakers and former political allies from Adeleke’s camp to the APC as evidence of what he described as the shrinking support base of the incumbent governor.

He cited Osun East Senator Francis Fadahunsi and three members of the House of Representatives-Omirin Olusanya, Wole Oke and Taofeek Ajilesoro, as political figures who had moved away from Adeleke and joined the APC.

On allegations that the APC could rely on federal power to influence the election, Bamidele rejected the claim, saying the intervention of President Bola Tinubu over the restriction of the Osun State Government’s statutory allocation account demonstrated the neutrality of the Federal Government.

He also cited the President’s directive to security agencies to maintain professionalism before, during and after the election as evidence of a commitment to a credible and peaceful poll.

Bamidele, however, urged all political parties and candidates to respect the rules of the contest and avoid actions capable of threatening peace and stability in the state.

He maintained that the ultimate decision rests with Osun voters, urging the candidates to focus on their manifestoes and allow the electorate to determine who governs the state.

“APC is in good stead to win the Osun race,” Bamidele declared, attributing the party’s improved prospects to greater cohesion, stronger political structures and prevailing political circumstances rather than federal power or individual sentiments.