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…As Oyebamiji intensifies grassroots mobilisation of party loyalists
From Ismail Omipidan, Abuja
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Osun State All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and the new entrant, African Democratic Congress (ADC) are expected to hold their primary elections on or before December 15th this year.
While the PDP is unlikely to deny the incumbent, Governor Ademola Adeleke the ticket, the aspirants jostling for the APC ticket is growing by the day, just as it is not yet clear who the likely aspirants for the ADC would be.
However, considering the fact that the leader of the ADC in the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, had in 2018 favoured Osun-West before a last-minute change, ADC may likely be looking the way of Osun-West as well.
For the APC, apart from the former Osun State Deputy Governor and immediate past National Secretary of the APC, Otunba Iyiola Omisore, who joined the race recently, another aspirant, a foremost lawyer, Hon. Kunle Rasheed Adekoge, SAN, who is well known as K-RAD, has equally joined the race.
Omisore, is from Ife, in Osun -East, while Adegoke is from Osogbo, in Osun-Central, like the incumbent National Secretary of APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru. Unlike Adegoke who had visited the party secretariat in Osun to announce his ambition to party leaders, Basiru is yet to visit the party secretariat to intimate party leaders of his aspiration.
But there are strong agitations within the party to offer the ticket to Osun -West Senatorial District. Daily Sun gathered that those pushing the idea are of the view that since the incumbent governor is from Ede, in Osun -West, there would be a balance of contest to have the major candidates from the area. Besides, Osun- Central, where Basiru and Adegoke hail from produced the governor in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2022. Cumulatively, the area had ruled the state for 15 years, while Osun -East, where Omisore hails from, had ruled the state for eight years, leaving Osun -West with just five years by the end of the current tenure of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Adegoke’s entry into the race has no doubt put paid to the insinuations making the rounds that Osogbo does not have “quality” aspirant to bid for the APC’s ticket.
Presenting himself formally to the party leaders, in Osogbo, on Monday, Adegoke pledged to put himself forward in total loyalty and service to make the Osun great and sustainable, just as he promised not to disappoint the APC and the people of Osun, if given the chance to govern the state at the end of the day.
“The time for empty promises and political rhetoric has passed. The people of Osun deserve a government that is not just responsive but also proactive; a government that is not just well-meaning but, also effective and visionary; a government that is capable of engineering prosperity, creating wealth and not merely reliant on federal allocations; a government prepared to turn our abundant human capital to enviable assets.
“This is not a journey I can take alone. I need your support. I need your belief. I need your hands, your minds, and your voices. I am a servant with a calling to make a difference. I offer you a platform of ideas, a record of integrity, and a promise of dedicated service.
“Let us join hands and build an Osun where every child can dream, where every young person can find a job, and where every elder can live in dignity. Let us work together to make our state a beacon of hope for our collective,” he added.
Explaining his vision and mission for the state, Adegoke further said that, “if given the privilege to serve, my administration will be built on four core pillars which are: Economic Revival and Job Creation: We will create a conducive environment for local and foreign investors, focusing on key sectors like agriculture, mining, industrialisation and tourism. We will provide soft loans and grants for our small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and empower our youth with skills relevant to the 21st-century economy. My goal is to reduce unemployment and make Osun a hub of economic activity in the South-West.
“To this end, we shall embark on Agricultural Revolution. Osun is an agricultural state, and we will unlock its full potentials. We will revive the tradition of farm settlements and support our farmers with modern farming techniques, access to improved seedlings, and a guaranteed market for their produce. We will establish food processing hubs to add value to our agricultural products, creating wealth for our farmers and food security for our State.
“Educational and Health Sectors Transformation: We will prioritise the welfare of our teachers, healthcare workers and people in general. We will invest in modernising our schools and hospitals, ensuring that every child has access to quality education and every citizen receives affordable and effective healthcare. We will equip our institutions with the resources they need to produce a generation of scientific innovators and leaders.
“Infrastructural Development: We will embark on a comprehensive program of infrastructural and urban renewal, putting in place lasting and motorable roads, providing clean water to our communities, and ensuring that our towns and cities are well-lit and secure. We will leverage technology to improve urban planning and public transportation.
“Security and Good Governance: The safety and security of our people will be my highest priority. We will work closely with security agencies and our communities to ensure that our State remains a haven of peace. On governance, my administration will be open, transparent, and accountable. We will fight corruption and ensure that public funds are used for the benefit of the people, not a privileged few,” he declared.
Responding, Osun State APC chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Lawal, acknowledged the aspirant’s visit and thanked him for deeming it fit to visit the State Working Committee of the party to officially announce his intention to run for the Osun 2026 governorship election.
“On behalf of our entire party, I extend a heartfelt welcome to Hon. Rasheed as he joins the race. Just as I have encouraged those who came before him, I urge you to prioritise the peace, unity, and progress of our party. The APC stands as one united family, and we will continue to do so, no matter the challenges we face.
“We are committed to holding a primary election that is free of conflict, and one that is transparent, and credible, so as to ensure that we select our strongest and most prepared candidate. Every aspirant will have a fair opportunity to share their vision for Osun, because we believe that unity is the key to our success. We reject any form of divisive politics, bitterness, or selfish ambition, instead, we have chosen to uphold a spirit of brotherhood, cooperation, and a shared mission.
“Let it be clear that the APC in Osun is not just gearing up for another election; we are on a mission to rescue and rebuild our beloved state. Osun has been burdened by poor governance, maladministration, and the evident incompetence of the current state leadership. The people are craving change, and we are ready to bring it.
“In 2026, we will present a candidate who possesses the competence, vision, and integrity needed to steer Osun back toward progress. We will campaign with honesty, courage, and the support of the people. The era of waste, deceit, and broken promises is coming to an end, and the countdown to Osun’s liberation has already begun,” Osun APC chairman said.
Meanwhile, as part of his efforts to intensify grassroot mobilisation of party loyalists ahead of the primary election, the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, last weekend visited two local governments in the state to canvass for support. At the last count, he has visited about 15 of the 30 councils in the state to seek for support and blessing of party leaders and stakeholders ahead of the primary.
Speaking on the recent visit, Oyebamiji disclosed that “I met with cherished leaders and members of our party, the APC, in Ifedayo and Odo-Otin Local Government Areas. The warm reception and strong words of encouragement I received clearly show that the APC in these areas remains united, focused, and ready to lead Osun back to the path of progressive governance.
“My political journey has always been about service, not personal ambition. With over a decade of hands-on experience at both state and federal levels including my tenure as MD of OSICOL (Osun State Investment Company Limited) and Commissioner for Finance, I have consistently delivered results that improved lives and strengthened our economy. Therefore, I seek the continued support of everyone, not just for me, but for the vision we all share: a better Osun built on transparency, fiscal discipline, and inclusive development,” Oyebamiji added.
He also appealed to all young Osun citizens who have just attained the age of 18 to ensure that they participate in the forthcoming Continuous Voter Registration exercise, reminding them that the 2026 Osun governorship election is about their future, and the only way to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the state, is for them to be registered, so they could participate as eligible voters in Osun, next year.
Oyebamiji also seized the occasion to canvass support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“I also took the special occasions of my visitations to call on our members in Ifedayo, Odo-Otin, and across Osun to remain calm and steadfast. With the positive feedback from the mass of Nigerians on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu at the federal level and the renewed resolve of our party men and women in Osun to return the state to a purposeful governance enshrined in progressive values, the 2026 governorship election will be a victory for our party just as the re-election bid of our President is assured in 2027.”
