A campaign billboard spotted in Iwo, Osun State, has ignited a heated exchange of words between the state chapters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), further fanning the flames of political rivalry in the state.
The controversial billboard, emblazoned with the slogan “Continuity of Progress”, features images of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Ademola Adeleke, and was reportedly sponsored by a political group known as the Osun Leaders of Thought.
Its appearance on Wednesday set off a storm of reactions, particularly from the APC.
In a sharply worded statement, Osun APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi denounced the billboard as a “fraudulent” and “absurd” political stunt, accusing the group behind it of engaging in what he called a “flagrant display of irreverence.”
“This pairing is like comparing the sky with the ground,” Olabisi fumed. “It’s a misguided propaganda move, lacking tact and basic political strategy.”
But the state government swiftly fired back. Olawale Rasheed, spokesperson for Governor Adeleke, dismissed the APC’s outrage as a sign of deep political insecurity. He argued that the governor’s rising popularity—across party lines and even at the national level—is what’s unsettling the opposition.
“The APC is clearly rattled by Governor Adeleke’s growing cross-party appeal,” Rasheed said. “Endorsements from federal institutions and non-governmental bodies have left them in an identity crisis.”
He added that the billboard, sponsored by a non-governmental group, only reflects the positive reception of Adeleke’s performance in office, pointing to major strides in infrastructure, education, and investment initiatives.
“Instead of confronting their unelectability, the APC is ranting about a signboard,” Rasheed said.
While the APC insists the billboard is a calculated attempt to blur political lines and mislead the public, the PDP is celebrating it as proof of Governor Adeleke’s expanding influence—a symbol, they argue, of a new political era in Osun State.
The statement read, “We want to tell the whole world that we are vehemently condemning and dissociating our party from the nose and eye sore which exemplified political heresy in the heartland of the core progressive politics in the affected part of the state.
“If the rumour milling the round that it was one of those who are currently eating the crumbs from the table of Governor Adeleke by the way of the clinching of a political office who hails from the ancient town of Iwo is the one behind the erection of the controversial billboard is anything to go by, it means that the lingering socio-political challenges of the 34-year-old Osun State appear irredeemable.
“How can someone or a group of people without any sense of direction just wake up from the wrong side of their bed and pair a political Lilliputian like Governor Adeleke with the political oracle and giant who has seen it all in all the spheres of politics and politicking?
“We want to make it abundantly clear to our esteemed members and numerous supporters that the feigned billboard is a counterfeit whose origin did not emanate from us and therefore, should be discountenanced.
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“The Osun APC is busy complaining about a successful meeting with the UK Prime Minister’s trade envoy, a meeting with concrete outcomes that the trade envoy hailed as a major breakthrough. The APC is shocked that such a productive investment meeting happened right inside the House of Commons.
“The opposition is by now scrambling on what to say to another breakthrough recorded by Mr Governor – the deal on cultural tourism partnership at the British Museum and the linkage between the UK and Osun business through the Nigeria-UK Chamber of Commerce. The public awaits the lies and misinformation from the Osun APC.
“The imminent re-election of Governor Adeleke will be the outcome of unwavering people’s support, evidence-based performance in office, eternal vigilance of people to protect their votes and the divine grace of God. A Governor who has done so much for his people and who enjoys so much goodwill among national leaders is unbothered by the rantings of an unelectable opposition,” Olawale said.
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