The All Progressives Congress (APC) has confirmed that its candidate for the 2026 Osun State governorship election will emerge through affirmation.
Chairman of the APC governorship primary committee and Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, made this known on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, ahead of the party’s primary scheduled for Saturday, December 18.
Addressing party leaders and stakeholders, Okpebholo urged members to cooperate fully to ensure a peaceful, transparent, and rancour-free exercise, stressing that unity remains critical to the party’s chances of reclaiming Osun State.
He explained that all 1,660 accredited delegates would converge at the designated venue to affirm the party’s candidate, noting that strict accreditation would be enforced to guarantee fairness and accountability.
“This gathering reflects our collective resolve not only to strengthen internal democracy but to reclaim Osun State into the progressive fold and restore purposeful leadership,” Okpebholo said.
He added that the meeting was organised to formally brief stakeholders on the arrival of
the primary election committee and to outline the modalities guiding the exercise, emphasising that transparency would remain central to the process.“No delegate will be allowed into the venue without proper accreditation. This is to ensure fairness and accountability throughout the process,” he stated.
The meeting was attended by several party leaders and aspirants, including former Osun State Deputy Governor Benedict Alabi, former Speaker of the Osun House of Assembly Timothy Owoeye, APC State Chairman Tajudeen Lawal, and former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji, who is widely regarded as the leading aspirant.
Oyebamiji and former Ifelodun State Constituency lawmaker, Mulikat Abiola, had earlier been cleared by the APC screening committee to contest the primary, while seven other aspirants — including former APC National Secretary Iyiola Omisore — were disqualified at the party’s national headquarters.
Earlier, co-chairman of the primary committee and Ondo State Governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa, appealed to Osun APC members to set aside differences and work together with the committee in the interest of the party.
