The All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared its intention to reclaim Osun State in the upcoming 2026 governorship election, signalling an aggressive push to overturn the current political landscape.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the election for August 8.
The contest is shaping up to be a high-stakes three-way race between the incumbent, Ademola Adeleke of the Accord party; Munirudeen Oyebamiji of the APC; and Najeem Salam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Incumbent Governor Adeleke, who won the 2022 election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defected to the Accord following leadership crises within the PDP.
While seeking a second term, the Accord Party faces concerns about its limited grassroots presence across the state.
Speaking during a nationwide media chat on Wednesday night, APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming poll but expressed strong optimism.
Basiru, a former senator, stated that the party is deploying a “data-driven” strategy to ensure victory.
To support this approach, he says the APC has begun mobilising structures across federal constituencies, senatorial districts, and state-level organisations.
Basiru noted that the party is specifically targeting engagement with women and student groups to bolster its campaign.
The political landscape in Osun has shifted significantly since the 2022 election, when former governor Gboyega Oyetola lost his re-election bid.
Since that defeat, the APC has operated as a minority party in the state.
The party’s current candidate, Munirudeen Oyebamiji, previously served as the commissioner for finance under Oyetola.
Adding complexity to the race is the emergence of the ADC, led by former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salam.
Salam is leveraging the political influence of ADC National Secretary and former governor Rauf Aregbesola, who maintains extensive grassroots structures throughout the state’s local government areas.
