As the December 15 deadline for submitting governorship candidates in the Osun election approaches, the state’s political landscape is heating up. The Independent National Electoral Commission set this deadline, and with less than a month to go, major parties are grappling with internal crises. The All Progressives Congress is divided among aspirants, while the Peoples Democratic Party faces internal turmoil, and incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke remains undecided on the platform for his re-election bid.
The situation in the PDP has been complicated by the national leadership crisis, which has cast a shadow over the party’s preparations for the poll. Despite public assurances that he would remain in the PDP, Adeleke’s political moves have suggested plans to join the APC. However, after considering the governor’s overtures to the APC, the opposition party structures in Osun openly opposed his defection.
Adeleke has been exploring alternative platforms, with nearly a dozen other parties suggested as potential options. The African Democratic Congress, where former Governor Rauf Aregbesola serves as National Secretary, was touted as a possible platform, but this has been denied by the governor’s spokesperson. The All Progressives Grand Alliance and Accord have also been mentioned as potential options.
In the Osun APC, the party is experiencing a frenzied atmosphere, with 13 aspirants vying for the ticket. Two major blocs have emerged, with the core structure of the party backing former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji, while some government officials who served with former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola are supporting former Deputy Governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore.
The APC Elder Caucus has been working towards a consensus arrangement to reduce tension and prevent post-primary crises. However, with the primary scheduled for December 13, allegations and counter-allegations have surfaced between the two major blocs. The party leadership has cautioned aspirants to be wary of “fifth columnists” bent on causing disharmony and disunity.
In the ADC, the situation appears calm, but the party is experiencing pressure in the build-up to its primary. A personality clash has emerged between the Omoluabi Progressives and Senator Kola Ogunwale, with the former announcing that the ADC would look to the West Senatorial District to pick its candidate. However, Ogunwale dismissed this position, insisting that the candidate could come from any part of the state.
As the deadline for submitting governorship candidates approaches, the political landscape in Osun remains uncertain. With major parties grappling with internal crises and Adeleke still undecided on his re-election platform, the outcome of the election is far from clear. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining the direction of the state’s politics, and the people of Osun will be watching closely as the situation unfolds.
