APC stakeholders endorse Oyetola for gubernatorial ticket

As the 2026 gubernatorial election in Osun State draws closer, key stakeholders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) have called for unity within the party while endorsing former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola as the preferred candidate for the party’s ticket.

The decision was reached during an APC stakeholders’ meeting of the Osun West Senatorial District held in Iwo on Friday.

During the meeting, presided over by the Chairman of the Caucus, Akin Omolaoye, party leaders unanimously affirmed Oyetola’s right of first refusal for the APC gubernatorial ticket.

The meeting emphasized that Oyetola, who previously served as governor, remains the party’s natural choice unless he chooses not to contest.

In a show of solidarity, the stakeholders passed a vote of confidence in the party’s leadership at both the national and state levels, reiterating that the APC is committed to fielding the strongest candidate for the 2026 governorship election.

Reacting to recent disagreements among party factions, Omolaoye and other leaders directed the immediate suspension of memos and communiqués from intra-party groups regarding the 2026 candidacy.

They warned that unregulated statements from various interest groups could lead to unnecessary division within the party.

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“Party unity is more important than the ambition of any individual member,” the leaders asserted.

Furthermore, Omolaoye urged the APC leadership to consider zoning the governorship ticket to Osun West if Oyetola opts out of the race. He stressed that Osun West remains a stronghold for the APC and has the electoral strength to reclaim power from the ruling party.

“We do not have an anointed candidate, but we are speaking with one voice—if Oyetola is not contesting, it is the turn of Osun West to fly the party’s flag,” he stated.

 “We have more than a hundred qualified candidates in this district, and our priority is to produce the best candidate when the opportunity arises. We appeal to external forces to desist from making statements and taking actions that could divide the party. We are one big family in the APC, and we are committed to remaining united.”

The meeting was attended by notable APC figures, including former Deputy Governor Benedict Alabi, former Speakers Mojeed Alabi and Adejare Bello, and Senator Mudashir Hussein, among others.

Their presence underscored the collective resolve of the party to maintain unity and strategically position itself for victory in the 2026 gubernatorial election.