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Political activity is surging across party lines, with the countdown to Osun State’s 2026 governorship election ticking ever closer.
The three leading contenders (PDP, APC, and ADC) are each navigating their paths toward primary season and expected to conclude by mid-November or December 2025.
PDP: A Clear Pass for the Incumbent
All indications point to incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke being the undisputed choice of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with no viable challenge emerging ahead of the primaries.
His supporters are confident the ticket will be theirs. Although the party has not publicly announced a formal date, indications are speculating the PDP will wrap up its primaries on or before December 15, 2025.
APC: Contestants Climb; Strategy Sparks Debate
In a stark contrast to PDP, The All Progressives Congress (APC) primary has become a crowded field as it is offering a glimpse of high-stakes competition marking the road ahead.
You ask, who are in the race so far?
1. Otunba Iyiola Omisore (Ife, Osun-East), former Deputy Governor and ex-National Secretary of APC, recently confirmed his candidacy and is reviving his campaign office in Osogbo .
2. Kunle Rasheed Adegoke (K-RAD), SAN, of Osogbo, formalized his entry with a Monday announcement at the state party secretariat, pledging visionary and wealth-creating governance .
3. Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji (NIWA MD) has garnered commendation from party leaders as the most “sellable” aspirant, with his grassroots backing mounting through local government support.
4. Senator Babajide Omoworare (Osun-East) is mobilizing statewide teams and has formally declared his ambition .
5. Senator Ajibola Basiru (Osun-Central), current APC National Secretary, remains a strong contender. Though he hasn’t officially declared, his consultations continue to attract attention .
Others rumored or reported in the race include Akin Ogunbiyi, Dotun Babayemi, Senator Mudashiru Hussein, and Benedict Alabi .
Minister Gboyega Oyetola, though initially expected to be a frontrunner, has exited the race, according to some sources.
A significant point of contention within the APC is the question of zoning: With Governor Adeleke hailing from Ede (Osun-West), party stalwarts argue rotating the ticket to the same district would ensure balanced representation, especially given that Osun-Central has disproportionately produced governors over the years (1999, 2003, 2007, 2022), while Osun-West will complete just five years of governance at Adeleke’s term end .
Yet, aspirants such as K-RAD oppose zoning based solely on geography, arguing that competence and a policy-driven platform should guide leadership selection.
This tension will likely be central to APC’s internal strategy in the coming weeks.
ADC: Strategic Moves Under Cover
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has yet to officially announce its candidates. Still, observers point to early indications that the party (through leader Rauf Aregbesola) may favor aspirants from Osun-West.
This would echo his 2018 preference before ultimately revising his plan. People suggest a possible repeat of that alignment.
APC’s principal challenge lies in managing an increasingly fractious primary field while settling zoning and unity debates. The weeks ahead will be critical with strategy and candidate selection pivotal to reclaiming the governorship.
PDP’s path appears smooth, as the party rallies behind the incumbent Governor Adeleke, setting the stage for a unified ticket heading into 2026.
ADC remains the dark horse, quietly aligning strategies and likely leaning toward regions with symbolic and electoral resonance.
These developments mark the opening chapter in Osun’s political drama, as headlines shift from intra-party jostling to general election narratives.
The next few weeks—especially APC’s candidate consolidation and ADC’s formal declarations—will shape how the 2026 race unfolds.
Taofik Adekunle Jimoh is a correspondent for Osun Spring Newspaper
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