As the All Progressives Congress (APC) intensifies consultations on a running mate for its Osun governorship candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), party chieftain Chief Abiodun Adesiyan has called for the position to be zoned to Osun Central Senatorial District, citing its voter strength and electoral competitiveness.
Adesiyan argued that since Oyebamiji hails from Osun West and is a Muslim, the party should consider a Christian running mate to achieve religious and demographic balance on the ticket.
In a statement, the APC leader said political calculations demand that the deputy governorship candidate possess strong grassroots appeal, street credibility, and broad-based mobilisation capacity.
“Across APC structures in Osun Central, there is increasing agreement that the ideal deputy governorship candidate should be a strong Christian to balance the ticket religiously; a politician with grassroots acceptance; someone with cross-party connections, particularly among former PDP blocs; a figure with influence among labour leaders, students, artisans, and informal sector workers; and a candidate whose local government has strong voter registration strength capable of delivering significant votes,” he said.
He noted that voter mobilisation is increasingly tied to figures on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) register, making the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise critical to the final decision.
According to him, Osun State had 1,955,657 registered voters as of June 2022, with Osun Central leading at 652,911 voters, ahead of Osun East with about 603,000 and Osun West with approximately 609,030.
Adesiyan identified Osogbo, Olorunda, Ifelodun, Boripe, and Odo-Otin as local governments in Osun Central with strong voting strength and potential for delivering electoral advantage.
Among possible running mates, he mentioned Hon. Adeoye Adelakun (Osogbo), Hon. Funmi Olasehinde (Ifedayo), and Barr. Kayode Oduoye (Ifelodun), noting Oduoye’s popularity across the Boripe/Ifelodun/Odo-Otin Federal Constituency and within the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
He also listed Hon. Yinka Ajayi (Boripe), Dr. Temitope Ilori (Ila), the daughter of former Osun State Governor Chief Bisi Akande, and Ms. Tola Odeyemi, the current Postmaster General of Nigeria. Other names suggested include Kayode Adereti and Hon. Nike Omoworare from Ile-Ife.
Adesiyan concluded that pairing Oyebamiji with a strong Christian candidate from Osun Central—capable of mobilising voters, energising grassroots structures, and bridging political and social divides—could be decisive in the APC’s bid to reclaim Osun State in 2026.
After party primaries ended on December 15, 2025, as set by the INEC, preparations began for the August 8, 2026, off-cycle governorship election in Osun State. Correspondent Toba Adedeji gives an overview of the political contest.
The selection of governorship candidates in Osun State has changed the landscape ahead of the 2026 election. As a result, stakeholders and supporters are now forming alliances and building grassroots support for what looks to be a closely contested race to decide who will lead from the Bola Ige House for the next four years.
Meanwhile, in 2025, major opposition parties in the state, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Allied Peoples Movement (APM), began seeking credible candidates to represent them in the election, a move that sparked political stirrings.
APC and emergence of Oyebamiji:
Within the APC, calls grew stronger to zone the governorship ticket to the Osun West Senatorial District, especially if the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, chose not to run again. Political leaders and groups from the district pushed hard for this consideration.
Oyetola later withdrew from the race, which allowed nine aspirants to compete for the party’s governorship ticket.
Those who aspired for the APC ticket include: Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, former Managing Director of NIWA (Ikire, Osun West); Iyiola Omisore, former Deputy Governor (Ile-Ife, Osun East); Prince Dotun Babayemi (Gbongan, Osun West); Benedict Alabi, former Deputy Governor (Ikire, Osun West); Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, insurance magnate (Ile-Oogbo, Osun West); Kunle Adegoke, SAN (Osogbo, Osun Central); Senator Babajide Omoworare (Ile-Ife, Osun East); Dr Mulikat Jimoh, former Osun House of Assembly member (Ikirun, Osun Central); and Babatunde Hareter Oralusi (Ile-Ife, Osun East).
After the screening, only Oyebamiji and Dr Mulikat Jimoh, the only female aspirant, were cleared to contest the primary. This caused tension within the party until President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intervened.
Eventually, a consensus was reached, and Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (popularly known as AMBO) was presented as the APC governorship candidate on December 13, 2025.
Since Oyebamiji became the candidate, the party has experienced some tension. Omisore openly expressed his dissatisfaction, accusing Oyetola of supporting Oyebamiji and utilising party resources to aid him.
Later, party leaders held a reconciliation meeting at Chief Bisi Akande’s home in December 2025. All aspirants were told to join forces within the APC to help the party win. The State Working Committee also encouraged the eight aspirants to unite and work together before the election.
The party said that Oyebamiji’s selection unsettled the ruling party. Through the Director of Media, Chief Kola Olabisi, and APC Chairman Tajudeen Lawal, they praised the aspirants for accepting the result without bitterness.
Lawal also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Akande, Alhaji Oyetola, the Agba Osun Caucus, and other stakeholders whose interventions ensured a seamless primary.
Olabisi said the peaceful primary proved wrong those who predicted problems and showed the party’s unity. He also said that aspirants who put the party first would be remembered well in the party’s history.
He encouraged party members to work together as a strong, united team in the August 8, 2026, election, aiming to win back power from Governor Ademola Adeleke.
One of the APC’s main strengths is its unity since losing power in 2022. Except for former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who was expelled with his allies for alleged anti-party activities, the party has not lost any major figures to the ruling party.
On the contrary, APC has gained prominent politicians from the PDP, including Senators Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East) and Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central); House of Representatives members, Oluwole Oke, Sanya Omirin, and Taofeek Ajilesoro; and former PDP National Deputy Chairman, Chief Shuaib Oyedokun.
The party also boasts influential leaders across the nine federal constituencies, including Senator Ajibola Basiru, APC National Secretary; Engr. Olalekan Badmus in Osogbo; Kayode Oduoye in Ikirun; Oyetola in Iragbiji; Chief Akande and Fadeyi in Ila-Orangun; Babayemi in Gbongan; and Oyebamiji in Ikire.
APC’s weaknesses:
A main concern for the APC is that reconciliation may not be complete, especially with disqualified aspirants like Omisore, who may not fully support the party’s success.
Also, if the party does not choose a strong deputy governorship candidate from important towns like Osogbo or Ile-Ife, its chances could be hurt.
The APC may also face challenges in Ede North and South, Governor Adeleke’s hometown, and in local governments such as Egbedore, Orolu, Iwo, Ayedire, Odo-Otin, and Ola-Oluwa, where the current governor has invested heavily in infrastructure.
Adeleke’s chances:
In the lead-up to its planned primary in 2025, PDP chairman Sunday Bisi said internal problems made it impossible to hold the event. He explained that Governor Adeleke’s participation would depend on whether the crisis was resolved within INEC’s timeline, which shaped the party’s immediate strategy.
Consequently, Adeleke left the PDP for the Accord Party, taking with him members of his cabinet and political appointees. As the only aspirant, he became the Accord Party’s governorship candidate and promised to seek a second term.
Accord’s strengths:
The Accord Party’s main strength lies in its successful merger with the PDP structure. Furthermore, while Adeleke has revived the party, Accord also benefits from its position on the ballot, which comes before the APC.
Adeleke’s position as governor, his influence in the civil service, focus on workers’ welfare, promotions, and payment of salary arrears have made him more popular. His work on infrastructure in Ede, Ilesa, Osogbo, Ila-Orangun, Iwo, and other areas is also likely to win votes.
Most PDP members remain loyal to Adeleke, and he also has support from Senator Lere Oyewumi, six House of Representatives members, and 23 state lawmakers. This further improves his chances.
Accord’s weaknesses:
A big weakness is that many voters, especially in rural areas, do not know much about the party’s ideology. Many still link Adeleke to the PDP and may not be aware that he has switched parties.
The party’s weak grassroots structure is another challenge, so it must depend on the PDP networks it inherited. Some PDP loyalists may also refuse to back Adeleke because of their loyalty to the party.
Aregbesola’s ADC:
At the same time, former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, now the ADC’s National Secretary, is another key player in the race. He and his allies left the APC in 2025 after being expelled for alleged anti-party activities, adding a new dynamic to the competition.
The ADC has been mobilising support with figures such as former Speaker Najeem Salam, former SSG Moshood Adeoti, Senator Adelere Oriolowo, and former APC chairmen Razaq Salinsile and Adelowo Adebiyi.
However, the ADC faced a setback when Adeoti left, citing dissatisfaction with the group’s internal governance. He left after reports that Salam had been selected as the preferred candidate in a mini-election among the group’s leaders in Lagos, where he received 11 out of 15 votes.
Adeoti’s exit could weaken the ADC due to his political influence and past support for Aregbesola’s victories. Still, Salam became the party’s governorship candidate.
PDP as a potential game-changer:
Even after Adeleke left, the PDP chose Adebayo Adedamola, an ally of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, as its governorship candidate. If INEC accepts this nomination, the PDP could split votes that might have gone to Adeleke, making the race more complicated.
…APC chieftain urges Osun residents to support Tinubu’s reforms
The erstwhile Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon Timothy Owoeye, has assured residents of the state that the pioneer national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adeboyega Oyetola, and other strong chieftains will lead the party to gubernatorial victory on August 8th, 2026.
The former speaker, in his New Year message, congratulated the people of the state, urging them to wait patiently for the emergence of APC candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO) as the governor of the state.
He stated that Oyebamiji winning the APC gubernatorial ticket is the best thing that happened in 2025, as he lauded the leadership of the party in Osun for the choice of his candidacy.
Owoeye noted that AMBO is the best to secure victory for the party next year, saying, “I want to salute the leadership of the party under the Chief Bisi Akande and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola. I am very confident that Mr Oyetola and the other party leaders would lead the APC to victory in the 2026 and 2027 elections.”
He charged members of the APC to remain steadfast and committed to the party’s ideals.
Also, the chieftain of the party, Engr. Ademola Adedapo tasked residents of Osun to be steadfast and united, noting that the economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu are poised to bring prosperity and a brighter future.
The APC chieftain also called for support for the candidate of the party in the August 08, 2026, election, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, adding that he is the best person to deliver true governance for the Osun people.
“I know the year 2025 was challenging due to some reforms initiated by our President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. However, I want us to know that it was for the good of the country. Let us continue to support the federal government as these reforms are poised to bring prosperity and a brighter future to our great nation,” Adedapo noted.
Ahead of the 2026 Osun State governorship election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Leaders’ Forum in Obokun Local Government Area has called on party members to embrace unity to ensure the victory of the party’s governorship candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO).
In a statement jointly signed on Sunday in Osogbo by the Forum’s co-conveners, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye and Hon. Tunji Adesokun, the leaders said victory would be assured if party members close ranks and work together.
They described Oyebamiji as a loyal, committed, and highly experienced politician, stressing that his success at the polls must be pursued with a shared sense of purpose.
The Forum appealed to party leaders at both the state and national levels to intensify efforts at uniting all interests and opinions within the APC to guarantee electoral success.
“We are approaching a major election, and we must go into the polls as a united and cohesive group. The choice of Oyebamiji as our candidate has made the task easier, but our leaders at the state and national levels must still work hard to prevent internal sabotage,” the statement said.
The group affirmed its full alignment with Oyebamiji’s candidature, pledging to mobilise grassroots support across Obokun Local Government Area and beyond for his victory.
It restated an earlier agreement reached by APC leaders in the council area that all members should set aside allegiance to other aspirants once a candidate emerges, regardless of the constitutional mode through which the candidate was chosen.
While commending party leaders for conducting a peaceful primary election in the state, the Forum urged them to reconcile all aggrieved members in the interest of the party’s success.
According to the Forum, indications show that the electorate is eager for the return of the APC in Osun State, but warned that party members must avoid divisive tendencies. With unity and dedication, it said, victory at the polls would be easier to achieve.
The Forum also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the party’s national leader, Chief Bisi Akande, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, the National Secretary of the party, Senator Ajibola Basiru, the Osun State Chairman of the APC, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, and the leader of the APC Elders’ Forum in the state, Pa Sola Akinwunmi, among others, for their commitment to the growth of the party
Four hundred and eighty-two members of African Democratic Congress (ADC) and 53 special delegates yesterday elected ex-Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Dr. Najeem Salaam, as the governorship candidate of the party for 2026 Osun State election.
The Chairman of ADC Primary Election Committee, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, said: “A total of 535 delegates were expected for the exercise, comprising 482 delegates from the local governments and wards, as well as 53 special delegates.”
He said Salaam clinched the party’s ticket after securing an overwhelming 520 votes at the primary.
He added: “Five hundred and twenty-eight delegates were accredited and all cast their votes. Of this number, eight votes were declared invalid, while 520 votes were valid and were all credited to Salaam. The total number of votes scored by him is 520.”
Nwajiuba said: “By the powers conferred on this panel by the constitution of the ADC, I hereby declare Salaam as the candidate-elect and standard-bearer of the African Democratic Congress for the 2026 Osun State governorship election.”
482 members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and 53 special delegates on Monday elected former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Dr. Najeem Salaam, as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2026 Osun State election.
The Chairman of the ADC Primary Election Committee, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, stated that a total of 535 delegates were expected for the exercise, comprising 482 delegates from local government areas and wards, alongside 53 special delegates.
Dr. Salaam secured the party’s ticket after an overwhelming victory, receiving 520 votes at the ADC governorship primary. According to Nwajiuba, 528 delegates were accredited and all cast their votes. Of these, eight votes were invalid, while 520 valid votes were credited to Salaam.
“By the powers conferred on this panel by the constitution of the ADC, I hereby declare Hon. Najeem Folasayo Salaam as the candidate-elect and flagbearer of the African Democratic Congress for the 2026 Osun State governorship election,” Nwajiuba announced.
A former member of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, alongside Professor Siji Olamiju and former Deputy Chief of Staff, Dr. Abdullah Binuyo, have called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to remain united following the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2026 Osun State election.
Oyintiloye, in a statement on Sunday, said some critics had predicted an implosion within the party due to the large number of aspirants who initially sought the APC ticket.
He, however, noted that Oyebamiji’s emergence underscored the growth, maturity and excellence of character for which the APC is known.
Also speaking, Professor Siji Olamiju, a former cabinet member under the administration of ex-Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, said the APC had once again proven itself as a political party worthy of emulation through the successful conduct of its primary election in Osun State.
He described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the true father of the party and the nation, adding that the President’s timely intervention helped to quickly douse tensions that might have arisen after the primary election.
Similarly, Dr. Abdullah Binuyo described Oyebamiji’s emergence as a reflection of the collective will of the party and a clear demonstration of the unity and maturity within the Osun APC.
He also commended the conduct of the primary election, praising the leadership of the Edo State Governor, who chaired the Primary Election Committee, as well as the Imo State Governor for providing effective oversight that ensured a transparent, peaceful and credible process.
Following the recent adoption of Osun asState Governor, Ademola Adeleke, as the Accord Party governorship candidate ahead of the forthcoming election, South-West stakeholders of the party on Sunday, December 14, endorsed him as the national leader of the party.
The stakeholders affirmed that Adeleke’s emergence as the party’s candidate remains valid, insisting that there is no faction within the party that can invalidate the decision.
Speaking after a South-West stakeholders’ meeting held in Ibadan and chaired by the party’s National Vice Chairman, Mogaji Paul Igbinsola, it was disclosed that the two contending factions under the national leadership of Rev’d John Adeniyi and Nduibem Maxwell had both endorsed Governor Adeleke’s candidacy for the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
The meeting was attended by Accord Party state chairmen across the South-West, including Engr. Raji Waheed (Oyo State), Dr. Oyedamola Babarinde (Ekiti State), Hon. Azeez Abimbola Falaja (Ogun State), Chief (Mrs.) Balogun Titilayo (Ondo State), and Mr. Dolapo Tolulope (Osun State).
The stakeholders also disowned one Segun Fanibe, stating that he was only a member of the party between 2016 and 2018 and no longer represents the Accord Party.
Igbinsola said, “We have met, resolved our differences, and agreed to collectively support the candidacy of Ademola Adeleke to fly the ticket of the Accord Party. We have buried the hatchet and united behind his candidacy.
“Having recognised that this is an emergency decision that required the immediate convening of all stakeholders.
“As a result of Adeleke defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to Accord, and in line with our party’s constitution, Ademola Adeleke has automatically become our national leader.
“Today, we have formally endorsed and approved him as the national leader of our party.
“Furthermore, we hereby disown Segun Fanibe, the former chairman of the Accord Party in Osun State between 2016 and 2018. He has since left the party for the All Progressives Congress and has therefore ceased to be a member of Accord. He is no longer associated with the party in any capacity.
“All factions within the party, across the South-West zone and at the national level, have unanimously endorsed Ademola Adeleke as our candidate and national leader. He has been fully adopted as the leader of the Accord Party.
“In view of this development, any kangaroo primary organized by Fanibe is null and void.”
A faction of the Accord Party has produced Clement Bamigbola as its governorship candidate for the 2026 Osun State election, just four days after the emergence of Governor Ademola Adeleke as the party’s flagbearer.
The Nation recalls that Adeleke had emerged on Wednesday as the party’s candidate, being the sole aspirant in the exercise.
However, a faction of the party rejected his emergence, insisting that Barrister Maxwell Ngbudem is not the legally recognised national chairman of the Accord Party.
In a fresh development on Sunday, about 300 delegates of the Accord Party from across Osun State elected Bamigbola as the factional candidate during a primary held at Regina Suite, Osogbo.
Bamigbola emerged through a voice vote conducted by the delegates, after which the Chairman of the Primary Committee, Hon. Olufemi Ogundare, declared him the party’s candidate for the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
Following his declaration, Ogundare and other party leaders formally presented the party’s flag to Bamigbola ahead of the 2026 contest.
A 39-year-old entrepreneur, Olajide Esan, on Saturday emerged as the governorship candidate of African Action Congress (AAC) for 2026 Osun State Governorship election.
Esan, who is also a car dealer, emerged through a consensus arrangement of the party which was monitored by the officials of Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC).
The Osun State Chairman of AAC, Tayo Adeyemi, addressing newsmen after the primary held at the party’s secretariat, Powerline area, Osogbo, declared that Esan emerged with the backing of party members across the state.
He noted that the exercise is free, fair and credible which is a reflection of the party’s democratic ideal.
In his acceptance speech, Esan said, “The big political parties are oppressing us in this nation. Their type of leadership has weaponise poverty, they have subjugated the public by oppressing them. We have a systemic problem in Nigeria. The system of this country has set us all up to become criminals.
“We must fight this. The current leadership will not do the right thing for us as citizens because it will not pay them. We must collectively enthroned good leadership.
When elected, I will create a ministry to check every citizen, to advocate for good welfare.”
He charged Osun residents and electorate to enthrone AAC in 2026 contest by uniting against APC, PDP Accord party, saying, “AAC will embark on voter education. Don’t think that saviour is coming from outside. I am here for service.
“My government will create a website that we will display all the public funds. You will all see how money is been spent. We must condemn vote buying at all costs. We have arrangement within our party to fight vote buying.
“The system of this country will frustrate potential in youths. Our mission is to take government from criminals and give it to the general public,” he added.
