Osun 2026: Gladiators, political parties strategise for epic battle

By Jeleel Olawale

Though 2026 governorship election in Osun is about 17 months away, politicians, political parties and aspirants for the coveted seat of the Bola Ige house are not leaving anything to chance, as they have begun discreet mobilisation and sensitisation of people, with a view to currying favour and support from the electorate.

But, the task has been daunting as members across the three senatorial districts have become polarised along various political interests, considering many of its governorship aspirants jostling to secure the party’s ticket in the critical election.

Findings showed that while some of the governorship aspirants have not publicly declared their intentions, few of them who had already done so have explored the use of their foot soldiers and local contacts in communities to shore up support.

However, while many of the political parties are preparing their arsenals and holding consultations in view of the imminent battle, some of these parties are enmeshed in crisis, culminating in factions, which may, if not nipped in the bud, whittle down their chances before the 2026 gubernatorial election.

Deeply submerged in internal wrangling is the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in which members of the The Omoluabi Progressives defected from the party to yet to be named party.

The party lost the 2022 governorship election to the Peoples Democratic Party’s Ademola Adeleke due to an intra-party crisis between former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and Rauf Aregbesola.

But the two former governors could not resolve their differences before, during and after the election.

In January 2025, a statement was issued after a meeting in Iwo by a Forum of All Local Government Chairmen in Osun West asked the party to zone the governorship ticket of the party to Osun West, emphasised the need for justice and equity in zoning the governorship ticket.  

The group stated that Osun West is the most strategically positioned to secure victory for the APC in the next election, noting that the district has been historically disadvantaged in producing a governor since the state’s creation.

“Osun West remains the most suitable and best positioned to win the next governorship election for the APC. Since the creation of the state, our district has not been afforded equal opportunities as other senatorial districts to produce a governor,” they said in the communiqué.

The seeming unity and cohesion within the APC in Osun seems not to be good, leaving in its wake a fragmented political entity by the Osun West agitators, which can no longer speak with one voice on the party’s preferred candidate.

Irrespective of the intra party squabbles, some of the notable members of the APC in Osun, eyeing the governorship seat have not shied away from mobilising and making subterranean moves to create leverage for their ambition ahead of the election.

Notable among the APC stalwarts, who have begun underground campaigns and nocturnal meetings include the former Special Adviser to the former President Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Senator Iyiola Omisore, minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, Oyebamiji. National Secretary of the APC, senator Ajibola Basir, among others.

However, pundits are of the view that APC needs to present a formidable candidate to fly the ticket of the party in 2026. It is believed that the party should resolve its intra-party wranglings. Some members were dissatisfied with the leaders of the party.

A prominent member of the party said, some members have been relegated to the background, adding that only those who are in the minister’s camp are enjoying the goodies.

One of the analysts, who spoke to our correspondent under the condition of anonymity said, “For the APC to make any headway in the 2026 governorship election, there is an urgent need for the party to put its house in order. Failure to restore peace and non-resolution of the internal crisis may spell doom for the party in future elections knowing full well that Aregbesola had left the party.”

According to one of the insiders in the party, our party relies solemnly on federal power to take over Osun. “Serious work must be done ahead of 2026. There is a need to put our house in order while a sellable candidate must be presented before we can go to bed.

“For our party to defeat Adeleke, all hands must be on deck because the governor continues to be popular among the people of the state. We in the opposition have attested to his unprecedented performance. So, any party that wants to dislodge him will work harder. governorship aspirations should put it on hold until such a time that the party will consider it appropriate. Only then will it make political sense for anyone to come out and talk about governorship aspiration.”

The PDP which is the ruling party in the state is believed to be enjoying the support of its members and civil servants in the state.

The party at different fora has endorsed Governor Ademola Adeleke for a second term in office. The coast is clear for Adeleke to fly the flag of the party for a second term as there is no aspirant showing interest in the coveted office.

It is believed that Ademola Adeleke has no opposition within the party and his sterling performance in all sectors of the economy is said to be working for him.

In an interview with one of the PDP leaders who preferred anonymity, said no candidate in opposition could defeat Adeleke come 2026 election, saying the governor is a man to beat.

He said the governor is popular among the people of the state especially within the workforce by paying the best minimum wage in the country. He added that PDP is one in the state and it has started mobilisation for the 2026 gubernatorial election.

It is evident that PDP leaders have plugged all loopholes within the ruling party and even outside it, by identifying and engaging forces that can be engaged by interest groups within the party. The party has been repositioned as a formidable party that stands to win elections at all times.

However, other opposition parties such as Labour Party, Accord Party, among others have begun mobilisation of their members to position themselves for the 2026 election.

Though these parties can spring surprises in an election. But PDP and APC are considered frontliners in the coming election.

It is believed that Governor Ademola Adeleke will deploy all the state apparatus coupled with his family financial resources to battle opposition parties especially APC.

It is however not clear if APC could win election in Osun without Aregbesola who is believed to have grassroot members of the party in his kitty. As the time draws near, it will be clear where the pendulum will spring and who finally fits the cap.