By Emmanuel Thomas l Monday, August 17, 2026
In politics, defeat is rarely a surprise; it is usually a carefully coordinated disaster. When Senator Babafemi Ojudu took to X to catalog the demise of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Osun State governorship election, he did not just deliver a post-mortem—he penned a 15-point satirical manual on how not to run a political campaign.
Forget traditional political analysis. Ojudu’s breakdown reads like a tragicomedy where the primary strategists for the opposition were, ironically, key figures within the ruling party itself.
The Self-Inflicted Wounds
At the top of the list sits the most formidable opponent of all: national hardship. Item #1 points directly to “whoever was responsible for the hunger in the land.” It turns out empty stomachs do not make for loyal voters.
Then came the grand parade of political unforced errors. From external overreach—such as the “ill-advised outbursts” of neighboring governors—to internal heavy-handedness like freezing state accounts and imposing unpopular candidates, the campaign managed to alienate the electorate at every turn. Local party actors boasting about godfatherly influence only served to light the fuse of public resentment.
The Adeleke Juggernaut
While the ruling party was busy scoring self-goals, Governor Ademola Adeleke and his team were executing a masterclass in modern political engagement. Ojudu gives credit where it is due, highlighting:
The Rhythm of Politics: Adeleke’s irrepressible dance steps, paired with the star-power of Afrobeats icon Davido, turned rallies into high-energy celebrations.
Strategic Brilliance: A media team that controlled the narrative, combined with a surprisingly sharp debate performance, dismantled the opposition’s primary talking points.
The People’s Will: A determined electorate matched the opposition’s heavy-handed tactics with courage, creativity, and biting campaign songs.
Ultimately, Ojudu’s viral post serves as a reminder that political hubris is the ultimate campaign killer. When a party mistreats its grassroots, ignores economic realities, and underestimates the power of a well-timed dance step, the electorate will gladly hand them their exit papers.
