Osun 2026 : Oyetola Retains Right Of First Refusal

Ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial election in Osun State, different groups within the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state have been enjoined to suspend all memos and communiqués regarding the party’s candidacy.

This decision was reached at an Osun West Senatorial District APC stakeholders meeting in Iwo on Friday.

At the meeting, the stakeholders unanimously agreed that former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has the right of first refusal for the party’s gubernatorial ticket.

The meeting, presided over by the Chairman of the Caucus, Akin Omolaoye, passed a vote of confidence in the party’s leadership at both the national and state levels, emphasizing that the APC will field the best candidate to win the 2026 governorship election in the state.

Omolaoye stated that Oyetola remains the party’s ticket holder unless he decides not to contest.

Reacting to recent tensions among party support groups, where members exchanged words that could lead to division, the party leaders ordered an immediate suspension of releases and communiqués by intra-party groups regarding the 2026 candidacy.

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According to them, “party unity is more important than the ambition of any individual member.”

However, Omolaoye appealed to the party leadership to zone the ticket to Osun West if Oyetola opts out of the race, in the interest of fairness and balance.

He stated that Osun West remains the APC’s stronghold and is capable of unseating the ruling party if given the opportunity to represent the party in the next governorship election.

“We do not have an anointed candidate, but we are speaking with one voice—if Oyetola is not contesting, it is the turn of Osun West to fly the party’s flag.

“We have more than a hundred qualified candidates in this district, and our priority is to produce the best candidate when the opportunity arises.

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“We appeal to external forces to desist from making statements and taking actions that could divide the party. We are one big family in the APC, and we are committed to remaining united,” Omolaoye added.

In attendance at the meeting were the former Deputy Governor, Benedict Alabi; former Speakers Mojeed Alabi and Adejare Bello; Senator Mudashir Hussein; among others.