Politics

Osogbo Speaks with One Voice on APC Governorship Ticket

Published by Akinwale Fakinlede on December 1st, 2025.

*Osogbo Speaks with One Voice on APC Governorship Ticket*

As political calculations for the 2026 Osun State governorship election intensify, some powerful blocs have spoken with unusual clarity and finality. Elders and youth coalition of Osogbo, the state capital and political heart of Osun, have openly declared that they are prepared to cross party lines if the All Progressives Congress (APC) fails to present an indigene of the town as its governorship candidate.

Speaking on behalf of the elders, Mr. Jimoh Ajayi Oyekola, said the position of Osogbo was not born out of emotion or blackmail but out of deep reflection on history, fairness, and the future of the state. According to him, the time has come for an Osogbo-born son or daughter to be trusted with the leadership of Osun State.

Oyekola stressed that the elders’ stance should not be misinterpreted as a threat to the APC leadership but seen for what it truly is: a sincere and long-overdue demand for political inclusion. He noted that Osogbo, despite being the seat of government and a major contributor to the political and economic life of the state, has never produced a democratically elected governor.

*A Question of Balance and Timing*

The elders anchored their argument on zoning logic and political timing. They pointed out that both the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have already tilted their governorship considerations toward Osun West. In their view, equity demands that the APC should look in the direction of Osogbo, which sits in Osun Central, when deciding its flagbearer.

Their fear, Oyekola explained, is that presenting another candidate from the West would lock Osun into another long cycle that sidelines Osogbo. Given Nigeria’s prevailing political realities, a victorious APC candidate from the West could easily spend two full terms of eight years in office. That outcome, the elders reasoned, would push Osogbo’s ambition further into the future, forcing the town to wait yet another eight years before realistically pushing for the governorship again.

“This is not just about 2026,” Oyekola said in measured but firm tones. “It is about whether Osogbo will ever be seriously considered. If we miss this window again, history may repeat itself.”

*Why Adeleke Remains an Option*

In a move that has sent ripples through APC ranks, the elders were blunt about the alternative. If the APC refuses to present an Osogbo indigene, they said they would rather work with Senator Ademola Adeleke of the People’s Democratic Party.

The reasoning is strictly strategic. Adeleke, already serving his first term, would only have four more years if re-elected. Supporting him, the elders argued, would shorten Osogbo’s waiting time and reopen the contest sooner for an Osogbo indigene to vie for power statewide.

“It is better to endure four years than eight,” Oyekola said pointedly, adding that political decisions must sometimes be guided by cold arithmetic rather than party sentiments.

*Omisore Factor Strengthens Osogbo’s Hand*

Adding weight to Osogbo’s agitation is the position of former senator Iyiola Omisore, a significant political force in Osun politics. The elders revealed that Omisore has openly resolved to support an Osogbo indigene, should one emerge as a formidable and widely acceptable candidate.

According to them, Omisore has made it clear that the only circumstance under which he would step down from the race or abandon personal ambition is if Osogbo presents a credible candidate capable of winning the election and governing effectively. His stance, they argued, demonstrates both statesmanship and recognition of Osogbo’s historic marginalisation.

For the elders, Omisore’s position removes any excuse for the APC. With internal support aligning and public sentiment growing, they believe the party has a rare opportunity to heal old wounds and rewrite political history.

*The Youths Coalition are Resolute*

Abdulrahman Okunade, a prominent leader within the Osogbo Youth Coalition, has thrown his full weight behind the growing agitation for an Osogbo indigene to emerge as governor in 2026. He stated unequivocally that the people of Osogbo are not only morally justified but also politically qualified to demand the governorship slot, given their longstanding and measurable contributions to electoral victories in the state.

Okunade argued that for years, Osogbo youths have been at the forefront of grassroots mobilisation, voter education, election-day coordination, and the defence of votes across party lines. According to him, the town has consistently functioned as the engine room of electoral success, delivering critical voting numbers and political energy whenever it mattered most.

“It is no longer reasonable,” he said, “to expect Osogbo to continue investing its strength, numbers, and resources in other people’s ambitions without ever being trusted with leadership.” He stressed that the 2026 election presents a historic opportunity to correct this imbalance and give Osogbo a fair stake in the future of Osun State.

The youth leader added that this demand is neither confrontational nor exclusionary. Rather, it is rooted in fairness, equity, and recognition of sacrifice. He called on key stakeholders of APC to listen attentively to the voice of Osogbo youths, warning that sustained political relevance must be matched with corresponding political reward.

According to Okunade, denying Osogbo the chance again would amount to taking its loyalty for granted. He concluded that supporting an Osogbo indigene in 2026 is not just the right thing to do, it is also the most politically strategic and unifying path for the state.