By Tosin Ogunyinminu
As the 2026 Osun gubernatorial election draws near, the debate on zoning and candidate selection has intensified within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State.
Provided that the immediate past governor of Osun who is the present Minister for Marine and Blue Economy decides not to run for the coveted seat at Abeere in 2026, it is believed that for fairness and equity, it’s imperative that the APC picks a candidate from Osun West.
Osun State has three senatorial districts: Osun Central, Osun East, and Osun West. Historically, Osun Central has produced three out of the six civilian governors, with a cumulative tenure of fifteen years and five months. In contrast, the other two senatorial districts have shared the remaining eleven years and eight months.
It is on record that the progressive party since it’s conception have not considered a gubernatorial candidate from the Osun West Zone, yet the party at the zone have chunned out large numbers of votes and victories for the progressive in successive elections with the most recent being the 2022 Guber elections where the APC won 6 out of 10 local governments in the senatorial district.
In the 2022 gubernatorial election, the APC won only two local governments in Osun Central, while performing better in Osun West and East. This trend suggests that the party’s strength lies in the western and eastern districts.
Picking a candidate from Osun West would not only be a strategic move but also a nod to fairness and equity. The people of Osun West have been loyal to the APC, and it’s time for the party to reciprocate by giving them a chance to produce the next governor.
Some have argued that the APC should consider candidates from Osogbo, citing the city’s strategic importance. However, this argument is flawed, as Osogbo alone cannot guarantee victory. While one is forced to admit that Osogbo has the numerical strength to boost the chance of the APC in the 2026 elections, it should also be noted that Osogbo’s stake in the present government is very high with their son as the SSG, also, notice must be taken of the present governments developmental attention on Osogbo through the construction of the Oke Fia and Lameco Flyovers, these two factors can be considered to have reduced the chances of a possible APC candidate from the LG winning the 2026 governorship elections, as a bird in hand is better than thousands in the bush. No doubt the aforementioned factors would score a cheap political goal for the PDP in Osogbo while same cannot be said of other local governments in Osun except Ede where the incumbent governor hails from.
The APC needs a candidate who can appeal to a broader audience, and Osun West offers a more promising prospect.
It is a popular believe that for the APC to stand a chance at winning the 2026 Osun gubernatorial election, the party must pick a candidate from Osun West. This move would not only be fair and equitable but also strategic, given the party’s electoral performance in the senatorial zone.
How a candidate from the Osun West Senatorial Zone will benefit APC
Picking a candidate from Osun West can give the APC an edge in the 2026 elections due to several strategic advantages.
1. Electoral History_: Historically, the people of Osun West have been loyal to the APC, and the party has performed better in this district. In the 2022 gubernatorial election, the APC won six local governments in Osun West, making it a stronghold for the party.
2. Zoning and Fairness_: Osun West has not produced a governor in recent years, making it a district that deserves a chance to produce the next governor. This consideration can help to galvanize support for the APC within the district.
3. Popularity and Acceptability_: A candidate from Osun West can appeal to a broader audience, including voters from other districts who may be looking for a fresh face or a candidate with a different perspective. This can help to increase the APC’s chances of winning the election
4. Reducing Internal Conflict_: By picking a candidate from Osun West, the APC can reduce internal conflicts and divisions within the party. This can help to present a united front against the opposition and increase the party’s chances of winning.
Overall, picking a candidate from Osun West can provide the APC with a strategic advantage in the 2026 elections.
Tosin Ogunyinminu is a Political Analyst, Social Commentator and a PR Expert
