Osun: Is Oyetola Returning In 2026?

It is more than two years away to the 2026 governorship election in Osun State. But the ambience of the next political dispensation has begun to radiate since late 2023. While it is obvious that incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would seek a second term, his loyalists and supporters could not hold their breath anytime there is an opportunity to declare that he is on an eight-year uninterrupted stay at the Bola Ige House. 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on the other hand has also begun political activities ahead of the 2026 political journey. Some stalwarts and members of the APC could not wait till 2025 or 2026 to declare that the party would return former governor Adegboyega Oyetola as its gubernatorial candidate. 

OSUN DEFENDER noted that all seems set for Oyetola to throw his hat to ring again and vie for the number one seat in the state of the living spring. Oyetola who was then an incumbent governor was defeated by Adeleke in the July 16, 2022 governorship election. 

However, going by events in the last few weeks, OSUN DEFENDER learnt that Oyetola might be preparing ground to contest the 2026 governorship election.

Part of the political preparations for the governorship election is the ongoing sensitization tours of the Sooko Tajudeen Lawal-led state executive committee of the APC across the local governments of the state.

Also, the rice and other Christmas gifts that were distributed to APC members courtesy of Oyetola is another indication that he is eyeing the Osun governorship seat again. 

According to some members of the APC, Oyetola didn’t make such move when he was the governor of the state, pointing to the fact that he is actually preparing the ground for a return in 2026. 

Sources within the Ilerioluwa camp told OSUN DEFENDER over the weekend that the former governor’s desire has been communicated to the structure of the party, particularly ex-council chairmen who have launched moves to begin a statewide consultation process for the move.

To put facts to the development, a poster sponsored by Hon. Adekunle Oloyede Jay-Kay, the former chairman of Irepodun South LCDA and one of the loyal lieutenants of Oyetola emerged recently on social media.

Credible sources also informed the medium that Oyetola, as part of his statewide consultations, is seeking to woo one of his predecessors, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola to his camp. 

In a statement after the last sensitization visit held at Obokun local government, the state APC Chairman, Lawal posited that the ‘leader’ of the party (Oyetola) had made arrangements for the continuous support to the party at every level, suggesting his position to continue to remain at the forefront of the party, perhaps to take the party’s ticket in the next electoral dispensation.

The move, however, may not go down well with some stakeholders within the party who are of the view that Oyetola is not popular and his candidature will further polarize the party and set it on another electoral defeat.

Some of those who spoke to OSUN DEFENDER under the condition of anonymity said any candidature not from the Osun West Senatorial District may not give Governor Ademola Adeleke an headache in the next election.

One of the concerned stakeholders said, “I don’t know why this man wants to be Governor again. He is not popular. Secondly, whoever will give Governor Adeleke a run for his money must come from the Osun West Senatorial District.”

A public affairs analyst, Comrade Gbenga Adesina who is also a member of the Ilerioluwa group in Ile-Ife wondered why the Minister is not giving a chance to other young and competent members of the party to compete against the incumbent Governor.

Further developments on the former governor’s plan to return to the political scene of the state will unfold in the coming weeks as sources in his camp named Alhaji Bola Oyebamiji, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Inland and Waterways Authority (NIWA), APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, as possible replacements if Oyetola later drops his ambition.