The contest for the Osun 2026 APC governorship ticket has shifted significantly after seven aspirants withdrew from the primary, following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday focused on party unity and presenting a united front. Notably, former deputy governor Iyiola Omisore was absent from the meeting.
At the end of the meeting, the aspirants agreed to back Bola Oyebamiji as the consensus candidate for the upcoming primary — a move aimed at easing internal tensions and streamlining preparations for the 2026 governorship election. The parley, convened at President Tinubu’s instance, held at the Presidential Villa.
Omisore’s absence drew attention, particularly in light of his recent dismissal of his disqualification from the primary as “a joke.” His boycott has fueled discussions about lingering grievances within the party.
The aspirants who stepped down include former Deputy Governor Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, Dotun Babayemi, Akin Ogunbiyi, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Kunle Adegoke, Babatunde Haketer Oralusi, and Mulikat Abiola Jimoh. Party insiders say the decision followed appeals from senior stakeholders stressing the importance of preventing a fractured primary.
