By Tunde Olamilekan
Ahead of the governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, scheduled to hold towards the end of the year, gubernatorial aspirants under the party have intensified their efforts towards becoming the party’s candidate.
osun.life had reported that at least 10 aspirants are vying for the governorship ticket under the APC, with each of them hoping to be the gubernatorial candidate during the August 8, 2026, election.
Some of the aspirants include: the National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru; the Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji; a former deputy governor of Osun, Otunba Iyiola Omisore; Prince Dotun Babayemi, and Insurance Guru, Akin Ogunbiyi.
Others are the immediate past deputy governor of Osun, Benedict Alabi; former lawmaker, Senator Mudashiru Hussain; Osogbo-born Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kunle Adegoke; and former lawmaker, Senator Babajide Omoworare.
osun.life gathered that, apart from the consultation tours undertaken by some aspirants to party members across local governments in the state, most of the aspirants were lobbying to secure the ticket.
A party source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told osun.life that most of the aspirants were courting the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, the former Interim National Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande, and the Igbimo Agba caucus of the APC in Osun.
The APC member said one of the aspirants, whom he did not mention, has personally sought the backing of President Bola Tinubu in getting the ticket of the party.
The source noted that the party may opt for a consensus candidate to allow for a smooth primary and have everyone on board in the quest to win the gubernatorial election.
He said, “Most of the gubernatorial aspirants are using their connections to lobby for the ticket, and it is something that is expected. We have many aspirants now, and they all must find a way to curry the favour of the bigwigs of the party.
“We all know that Minister Oyetola is the leader of the party in the state and he will have a big say on the election. So, some of the aspirants have been lobbying him to favour them.
“Also, Baba Bisi Akande and the Igbimo Agba caucus of our party are being romanced by some aspirants, and I know very soon, the party will sit and work out the best way to go about things.”
Follow the OSUNDOTLIFE channel on WhatsApp