Osun 2026: The Journey Begins

• I remain in PDP- Adeleke
• Uneasy calm in APC
• ADC to test run with Osun Election

By Sola Isola

The stage is beginning to set as the Independent National Electoral Commission has officially released the timetable for the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election, picking August 8, 2026 as the day Osun people will get to decide who leads them for another four years.

Osun Spring reports that with the new electoral act, all political parties willing to participate in the election will have to conduct a primary election between November and December 2025.

Contrary to speculations and rumours making the round, Governor Ademola Adeleke has reaffirmed his membership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and denied reports of his decamping to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor in a statement by his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed noted with concern the widespread rumour and has reassured his supporters and admirers that he remains a member of the PDP and the leader of the party in the state.

He restated his preoccupation with the implementation of the administration’s five point agenda and urged Osun people to ignore fake news, promising more delivery of good governance and democratic dividends.

“I assure the good people of Osun that I remain part and parcel of the PDP family. I am not defecting to any party”, the governor noted.

In a related development, Governor Adeleke also debunked his rumored defection to African Democratic Congress (ADC) or alliance with former Governor Rauf Aregbesola ahead of the Governorship Election.

Responding to media publication and enquiries, the Spokesperson to Governor Adeleke, Mallam Olawale Rasheed affirmed that Governor Adeleke remains in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is going to win, with wide margins, the 2026 governorship elections on the platform of the PDP.

The statement reads “ Our attention has been drawn to news reports and media enquiries about the imminent defection of Governor Adeleke to the ADC or alignment with ADC big wigs ahead of the 2026 governorship race. There is no truth in those publications and speculations.

“First of all, we, the PDP Osun, have already adopted and endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, so there is no alliance with ADC.

“Secondly, Governor Adeleke has no alliance with anyone in ADC. He remains in PDP, will run in PDP, and needs no alliance with ADC to win with a wide margin in 2026.

“The Osun electorate supports Governor Adeleke because of his impressive performance since he came to office. That good work is still ongoing and Osun people are committed to sustaining the delivery of good governance by re-electing Governor Adeleke in 2026”, the Spokesperson was quoted as saying.

Governor Adeleke urges PDP members to forge ahead with the ongoing strengthening of the party structures across all levels to prepare for fresh victory next year”, the statement from the Spokesperson concluded.

Meanwhile, the coast is not clear within Osun APC as it is now official that former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, who is now the minister of Marine and Blue Economy will not be contesting the 2026 Governorship Election.

Osun Spring reports that prior to his announcement at stakeholders meeting in Osogbo, the Osun state capital, the entire Osun APC structure have said to allude to Oyetola being the determining factor of the flagbearer of the APC come 2026, adding that the former Governor has a right of first refusal ie he wants to contest again.

Oyetola instead asked all aspirants who have indicated interest to go and gather support from party members ahead of the party’s primary for which date has not been fixed.

He said, “You should all avoid the campaign of calumny and be your brother’s keeper. I am no longer interested in vying for the governorship ticket with you.

“You all can see that the APC remains the party to beat anytime and any day. As of today, we are receiving people into the party, and many are still coming.

“This development has further attested to our vibrancy, potency and formidability. This has always been my dream to build a virile, potent and formidable party that would return the progressives to government.”

Osun Spring reports that aspirants in the APC are, Alh Bola Oyebamiji, Senator Mudashiru Hussein, Prince Dotun Babayemi, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, and Senator Babajide Omoworare.

The National Secretary of APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru will also be vying for Governorship, even though his fate is unknown as Osun Spring reports that he was absent at the stakeholders meeting.

For the ADC which former Governor Rauf Aregbesola is now the National Secretary of the party, Osun State may be its tool to test run its upliftment in Nigeria’s political space.

Osun Spring recall that coalition of opposition forces has formally adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general election but in order to achieve this they’ll need to test their strength with gubernatorial elections that precede the Presidential election.

Aregbesola, said he agreed to serve as the Interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress because Nigeria’s political scene is dominated by parties lacking clear ideological direction.

“Sadly, in Nigeria today, we cannot say the same about many of our political parties.

“Our political landscape is plagued by parties that lack ideological depth. They are empty shells emerging and splitting, not over policy or principle, but over power and personality. There is little regard for the people, and even less for the country.”

Weeks after, Aregbesola returned to Osun to meet The Omoluabi Progressives, his faction that pulled out of APC to also join ADC assuring them of victory come 2026.

“We are not here to trade insults. We are here to restore what has been lost — dignity, competence, and direction.

“This party is for everyone. We welcome you, not as enemies of others, but as Nigerians determined to chart a better path forward. We know the game — distractions, smears, provocations. But we will not play it.

“We are on a mission, and we will stay focused, building quietly, consistently, and with conviction.

“We used those same principles in Osun to navigate the worst economic crisis in Nigeria’s history and still delivered measurable progress. This is what Nigeria needs now: grounded, proven, and people-driven.

“We are stepping into a new chapter, one of responsibility, restoration, and meaningful results. The struggles of the past were not in vain. They’ve prepared us to lead with clarity and conviction. The best of what we have to offer is still ahead.”