The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Committee for the 2026 Osun State governorship primary, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, has announced that the party’s candidate will emerge through affirmation, signalling the adoption of a consensus model for the exercise.
Okpebholo made the disclosure on Friday in Osogbo during a stakeholders’ meeting convened ahead of the APC governorship primary scheduled for Saturday, December 13, in the state capital. He urged party members to cooperate fully to ensure a peaceful, transparent, and rancour-free process.
According to him, the consensus approach reflects the party’s determination to strengthen internal cohesion and position itself to reclaim power in Osun State. He said all accredited delegates would be involved in affirming the party’s choice in line with laid-down guidelines.
“This gathering reflects our collective resolve, not only to strengthen internal democracy but to reclaim Osun State into the progressive fold and restore purposeful leadership,” Okpebholo said.
He explained that the primary election committee had arrived in the state to oversee the process and briefed stakeholders on the modalities guiding the exercise. He stressed that transparency would remain central to the conduct of the primary.
“As you are aware, the mode of the primary will be by consensus. All 1,660 accredited delegates will converge at the designated venue to affirm the choice of our party’s candidate for the next gubernatorial election,” the APC committee chairman stated.
Okpebholo added that strict accreditation procedures would be enforced, warning that no delegate would be allowed into the venue without proper verification, a measure he said was designed to guarantee fairness and accountability.
The stakeholders’ meeting was attended by several party leaders and aspirants, including some who were disqualified during the screening process. Among those present were former Osun State Deputy Governor Benedict Alabi, former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly Timothy Owoeye, APC State Chairman Tajudeen Lawal, and former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji, who is widely regarded as the leading aspirant.
Oyebamiji and former Ifelodun State Constituency lawmaker Mulikat Abiola had earlier been cleared by the APC screening committee to contest the primary. Seven other aspirants, including former APC National Secretary Iyiola Omisore, were disqualified during the screening exercise conducted at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
Calling for unity, Okpebholo appealed to party leaders, aspirants, delegates, and members to support the committee and cooperate with officials assigned to manage the primary election.
Earlier in his remarks, the co-chairman of the APC primary committee and Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Ayedatiwa, urged Osun APC members to set aside internal differences and work collectively with the panel to ensure a credible process and reposition the party ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
