Osun APC Unity Bolsters Oyebamiji's Guber Bid for 2026 Election

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, long plagued by factionalism and internal wars, has dramatically recalibrated its political strategy. For the first time in years, the party is presenting a unified front, placing Bola Oyebamiji (All Progressives Congress, Osun State) as its singular gubernatorial candidate for the August 15, 2026 election. This unprecedented cohesion, cemented by the affirmation of over 1,600 delegates in December 2025, signals a decisive shift from the disarray that cost the party the 2022 governorship.

The 2022 defeat of the All Progressives Congress, despite its incumbency, was a stark lesson in political indiscipline. Now, a painstaking process of negotiation and strategic alignment, undeniably orchestrated by President Bola Tinubu (All Progressives Congress, Federal), has forged a new path. This is not accidental unity; it is a calculated move to reclaim the Government House.

Perhaps the clearest indicator of this newfound unity is the pivotal role played by Senator Iyiola Omisore (All Progressives Congress, Osun State). Omisore, a political heavyweight with his own gubernatorial ambitions, initially faced a screening committee disqualification. Instead of sparking a bitter internal feud, Omisore accepted the party's decision following President Bola Tinubu's direct endorsement of Bola Oyebamiji. He has since thrown his considerable political machinery behind Oyebamiji, preventing a potentially devastating split in party ranks and sending a powerful message of cohesion to the Osun electorate.

A Unified Campaign Machine

The strategic alignment extends deep into the campaign infrastructure. The All Progressives Congress has appointed Oluwole Oke (All Progressives Congress, Osun State), a five-term veteran of the House of Representatives, as the Director-General of Bola Oyebamiji’s Campaign Committee. This meticulously constructed campaign is further bolstered by experienced regional directors: Prince Adebayo Adeleke (All Progressives Congress, Osun State Central), Prince Dotun Babayemi (All Progressives Congress, Osun State West), and Thomas Ogungbangbe (All Progressives Congress, Osun State East). This comprehensive structure ensures robust coverage across all senatorial districts, leveraging deep-seated political networks to engage voters at every level.

While the All Progressives Congress consolidates, the opposition in Osun State faces increasing fragmentation. Incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke (Accord Party, Osun State) is contesting under the Accord Party banner, a move necessitated by internal friction within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This internal strife has significantly thinned the PDP’s influence and potential vote share in the state.

Further complicating the landscape for the opposition, former Governor Rauf Aregbesola (All Progressives Congress, Osun State) has thrown his support behind Najeem Salau (African Democratic Congress, Osun State) on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) platform. This splintering means the anti-incumbent vote is now divided across multiple parties and candidates, directly benefiting the unified All Progressives Congress and its candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

Tinubu's Imprimatur Shapes the Race

No analysis of the All Progressives Congress's current strength is complete without acknowledging the profound impact of President Bola Tinubu's endorsement. In Southwest political culture, alignment with the region's most powerful political figure carries immense weight, providing not only crucial resources but also undeniable legitimacy. President Bola Tinubu's backing of Bola Oyebamiji serves as a powerful unifying force, compelling formerly disparate factions to align.

This presidential imprimatur fundamentally alters the political calculations for all players. It signals that the presidency has a direct stake in the outcome, influencing behavior from party leaders down to ward-level mobilisers. For Bola Oyebamiji, President Bola Tinubu’s support provides both tangible campaign advantages and an intangible authority that the fragmented opposition will find challenging to overcome, positioning the All Progressives Congress strongly for the 2026 governorship race.