Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a prominent political figure and former adviser to President Bola Tinubu, has dismissed suggestions that the recent defeat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State is a consequence of Governor Ademola Adeleke's endorsement of Tinubu for the upcoming 2027 presidential election.

In a closely contested governorship election held on Saturday, Adeleke emerged victorious, garnering 511,067 votes, while Bola Oyebamiji, the APC candidate, followed with 444,815 votes. Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) finished third with a mere 17,180 votes. This outcome has sparked discussions regarding the implications of Adeleke's political maneuvers leading up to the election.

Baba-Ahmed took to social media platform X to express his views, stating, "I am not one of those supporting the conspiracy theory that the APC's defeat in the Osun governorship election is a trade-off for the governor's support for Tinubu in 2027. I prefer to believe Accord Party won fairly. I believe the APC can be defeated in fair elections. Osun State will reject it in 2027."

His comments come in the wake of speculation that Adeleke's backing of Tinubu might have influenced the election results. However, Baba-Ahmed firmly believes that the electorate's decision was independent and fair, emphasizing the need for genuine electoral competition.

The political landscape in Osun State has been turbulent, with the APC's defeat raising questions about its future prospects in the region. Baba-Ahmed further criticized the recent actions of President Tinubu regarding the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and its operations in Osun State, suggesting that these interventions may have exacerbated the party's struggles. He remarked, "The clumsy intervention by PBAT on EFCC/Osun State frozen funds just made everything worse. PBAT, even as a maximum president, has no power to stop EFCC's operations."

As the political climate shifts, Baba-Ahmed's statements reflect a broader sentiment among some party members who believe that the APC must reassess its strategies ahead of the 2027 elections. With Adeleke's victory, the Accord Party has positioned itself as a formidable force in Osun politics, potentially influencing the dynamics of future elections in the state.

The APC will need to address its shortcomings and reconnect with the electorate if it hopes to regain ground in Osun State, where the recent election results have signaled a clear rejection of the party's current trajectory.