Ahead of the 2026 Osun State governorship election, business mogul and insurance executive, Dr. Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi, on Thursday officially declared his intention to contest the poll on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The declaration, held at the APC Secretariat in Osogbo, came shortly after a strategic closed-door meeting with top party stakeholders. The event drew a significant crowd of enthusiastic supporters from across the state, signaling Ogunbiyi’s rising popularity and political clout within the APC.
Present at the event were key APC leaders, including the State Party Chairman, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, alongside notable decampees from other political parties. Among them was Alhaji Adeniran, a former PDP chieftain from Ede, who recently switched allegiance to the APC—a move seen by analysts as a major boost for Ogunbiyi’s camp.
“A Unifier with a Clear Vision”
In his address, Ogunbiyi described himself as a unifying force within the APC, pledging his full commitment to the party’s democratic ideals and promising to abide by the outcome of the primaries.
“The support I’ve received across the length and breadth of Osun is humbling. People have come from all 30 local governments to stand here with me today. This is not about me alone—it’s about a renewed hope for our dear state,” he said.
He emphasized that all APC aspirants, regardless of background or ambition, share a common goal: to reclaim the state from what he called the “stagnant leadership” of the PDP-led administration under Governor Ademola Adeleke.
On widespread rumours that Governor Adeleke may be plotting a defection to the APC, Ogunbiyi responded diplomatically, saying: “The APC is a party with progressive values and strong foundations. Anyone who aligns with our vision and believes in the party’s ideals is welcome. But let it be clear—we are not afraid of any name or title. We are ready.”
He noted that the strength of the APC lies in its ideology and the current positive momentum of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration at the federal level, which, he said, is attracting interest across the country.
Call for Voter Mobilization
The governorship hopeful also used the platform to urge Osun residents, particularly first-time voters and youths, to take voter registration seriously ahead of the polls.
“Your PVC is your power. Let’s encourage our communities, especially the youth, to participate in the democratic process. Osun’s future lies in our hands,” he declared.
A Fresh Chapter in Osun Politics
Ogunbiyi’s official entry into the race sets the tone for what is expected to be a high-stakes electoral battle in 2026. With his strong private sector background and previous political experience, he is seen as a formidable contender capable of reshaping the APC’s narrative in Osun.
Insiders within the party believe that Ogunbiyi’s declaration may reposition the internal dynamics of the APC and could galvanize the party’s base ahead of the primaries.
“This is not about division—it’s about purpose. Whoever emerges after the primaries must be supported by all. Unity is non-negotiable,” Ogunbiyi stressed, in a plea for internal cohesion.
~ Adeola Shittu