2026: Osun West Gubernatorial Candidate to Secure APC Victory

2026: Osun West Gubernatorial Candidate to Secure APC Victory – Former Chairmen

Former local government leaders from the Osun West region, who are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have urged the party’s leadership to allocate the governorship ticket to their district in 2026, citing the principles of fairness, justice, and equity.

In a statement issued at a press conference held at the APC Senatorial Secretariat in Iwo, the former chairmen, gathered under the name "Forum of All Former Local Government Chairmen in Osun West," emphasized that Osun West remains a key stronghold for the APC in the state. They expressed confidence that a candidate from their district would be able to defeat the current Governor, Ademola Adeleke, in the upcoming election.

The group made it clear that they were unified in pushing for a candidate from Osun West to run in 2026, for the betterment of the district and the unity of the party. Their call was highlighted in a formal communiqué signed by 41 former local government chairmen from the district and delivered by Mukaila Oladejo, the former chairman of Ayedire Local Government.

The communiqué expressed full support for the leadership of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and acknowledged President Bola Tinubu for his efforts in national reforms.

The statement read in part: “The Forum convened to evaluate the political situation in both Nigeria and Osun State, with the goal of advising our party leadership and offering our full support to ensure the stability of the current national administration. We are committed to securing a victory for the APC in both the upcoming local government elections and the 2026 gubernatorial race in Osun State.

“The Forum has also reviewed the management of the party under the leadership of former Governor Oyetola, who now serves as the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, and the State Chairman, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal. We assess the party’s management as outstanding, recognizing the increase in membership and the strong coordination within the party, which has made us more attractive to the people of Osun and positioned the APC for future electoral success.

“The Forum proudly passes a vote of confidence in the leadership of our party in the state, including Alhaji Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola and the state working committee led by Sooko Tajudeen Lawal. However, we are concerned about the rising political tensions within the Osun APC regarding the choice of candidate for the 2026 gubernatorial election.

“We believe that former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola should be given the opportunity to run for a second term in 2026, as he is the last former governor of our party with the constitutional right to serve another four years. We call on the party to firmly reject any attempt to zone the governorship ticket outside of Osun West, in the interest of justice and fairness.

“During the 2022 gubernatorial election, despite the fact that the PDP candidate came from Osun West, the APC still managed to win six out of the ten local government areas in the region. This shows the strength of the APC in Osun West.

“The APC continues to grow stronger every day, united in presenting a loyal, capable, and dynamic candidate who will implement our party’s vision and policies to further develop and improve Osun State.

“We urge that this position be communicated to the Osun West APC Elders and other party leaders, so that it can be relayed to Chief Bisi Akande, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Osun State APC Elders Forum (Igbimo Agba).”

The former chairmen also expressed their unwavering belief that the APC will reclaim control of Osun State in 2026, with Osun West party members determined to put forward a strong and widely supported candidate capable of defeating Governor Ademola Adeleke.