Governor Ademola Adeleke and leaders of the Accord in Osun State have endorsed Chairman of the Osun State Universal Basic Education Board, Ibukun Fadipe, popularly known as IBK, as the party’s preferred candidate for the Osun East Senatorial District ahead of the forthcoming primaries.

The decision was reportedly ratified during a high-level meeting held at the Government House, Osogbo, on Monday.

Also endorsed for the Osun Central Senatorial ticket was former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party and current Commissioner for Rural Affairs, Gani Olaoluwa, who was said to have emerged ahead of former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lasun Yusuff, and Aremo Kunle Alao after what sources described as a “shadow election” conducted among party stakeholders at the meeting.

Insiders disclosed that the development effectively puts to rest growing speculations and internal contestations within the party over the allocation of tickets ahead of the 2026 elections.

The party leadership was also said to have granted automatic tickets to Senator Lere Oyewumi, all six serving members of the House of Representatives, as well as incumbent members of the Osun State House of Assembly seeking re-election in their respective constituencies.

Among those reportedly cleared to fly the party’s flag for the House of Representatives are Pelumi Olajengbesi for Ijesa North Federal Constituency, Popoola Ibrahim Alaba for Ijesa South, and Tosin Eluwole for Ife Federal Constituency.

Others endorsed include Mudasiru Lukman (Iwo), Bamidele Salam (Ede), Santa Omirin (Ijesa South), Clement Olohunwa (Ila), Lanre Oladebo (Irewole), Adebayo Monrufu (Osogbo), and Soji Adetunji (IBO).

Party sources further revealed that the preferred aspirants are expected to begin obtaining nomination forms this week, while the primaries, scheduled for next week, are likely to be conducted through a consensus arrangement.