By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

Ahead of 2026 governorship election in Osun State ,the  Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a stern warning to governorship aspirants and their supporters against engaging in smear campaigns

They said any campaign that will cause  internal party conflicts ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial election will not be tolerated  by any aspirants ,hence there should be decency in approach of any campaign either by Aspirants or its supporters.

At a crucial meeting held at the party’s secretariat in Osogbo on Saturday, APC State Chairman, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, addressed reinstated local government chairmen and party stakeholders, stressing the need for unity and discipline within the party ranks and respect for any aspirants.

Lawal expressed concern over what he described as “worrisome and embarrassing” altercations between supporters of different aspirants. He announced that the party has officially barred its executive members at all levels—from ward to national—from coordinating or campaigning for any aspirant.

“Any executive member of our party at all levels—unit, ward, local government, senatorial, and national—is disallowed from coordinating for any governorship aspirant,” Lawal stated. “We must promote peace and sanity within our ranks.”

He emphasized that the party had not endorsed any aspirant and that official election guidelines had not yet been released.

“Whenever the guidelines are released, they will be made available to all. We must not allow anyone, no matter how influential, to destabilize the party,” he warned.

The chairman called on all aspirants to control their supporters and ensure that their campaigns are issue-based and respectful, cautioning that any member found breaching the party’s directive would face sanctions.

While acknowledging the large number of aspirants as a sign of the party’s democratic health, Lawal urged restraint, noting that excessive internal rivalry could damage the party’s chances in the next election

.“Let us not overstretch our luck. We aim to win the 2026 governorship election and must do so as a united front,” he said.

He also revealed that the APC would soon begin registering new members, including defectors from other political parties.