The Osun Progressives Independent Forum (OPIF), a prominent faction within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, has raised alarm over the potential imposition of a governorship candidate for the 2026 election. The group warns that any attempt to bypass due process in candidate selection could repeat the challenges the party faced in the 2018 and 2022 elections.
In a press conference held in Osogbo on Monday, Hon. Satiregun Sunday, the group’s coordinator, pledged full support for whoever emerges as the party’s candidate—provided the selection process is transparent, fair, and follows due process. He stressed that the group’s primary goal is to ensure the APC secures a victory in the upcoming gubernatorial race, and they are already preparing to engage in efforts to register new voters ahead of the election.
“One of our key activities in 2025 will be the demand for an open, just, impartial, but competitive candidate selection process for the gubernatorial election in 2026,” said Sunday. The group emphasized that the future of APC in Osun State hinges on the selection of a candidate based on merit, not mere sentiment or political favoritism.
The group criticized past attempts to impose candidates based on geographical or ethnic considerations, which led to internal divisions, defections, and an eventual rerun in the 2018 election. These issues, they noted, were felt once again during the 2022 gubernatorial race. OPIF believes that in order to avoid similar setbacks, the party must prioritize evaluating candidates based on their competence, leadership experience, electoral viability, and ability to unite the people of Osun.
“It is imperative that the leadership of our party carefully considers aspirants who possess soundness, vibrancy, competence, and integrity. We need someone who is marketable and ready to serve the people of Osun, not someone who is a pawn for a few individuals at the expense of the people,” Sunday continued.
The OPIF also underscored the need for the APC to foster a transparent and inclusive process. They stressed that the candidate selection must not only reflect the party’s best interests but also have a broad appeal to voters from all demographics across Osun State.
Looking ahead, the group expressed confidence that if the party adheres to these principles, it can successfully defeat the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and reclaim control of Osun State in 2026.