Osun 2026: Omisore’s Grassroots Move Deepens APC’s Crisis

The political climate in Osun State is heating up as the All Progressives Congress (APC) struggles to steady itself ahead of the 2026 governorship election. What should have been a routine show of grassroots mobilisation has instead reopened old wounds within the opposition party, raising questions about its unity, strength, and capacity to challenge the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

On September 22, former Deputy Governor, senator, and two-time governorship candidate, Otunba Iyiola Omisore, hosted APC ward women and youth leaders at his Ogo Oluwa campaign office in Osogbo. The event, described as strategic mobilisation, ended in loud endorsements for his governorship ambition. Supporters chanted solidarity songs, hailing Omisore as the candidate who could redefine APC’s future in Osun.

But behind the chants lies a more sobering reality: Omisore’s re-entry into the grassroots has unsettled a party still battling deep divisions.

Lingering Fault Lines

The Osun APC has not fully recovered from the dramatic exit of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his loyalists including Moshood Adeoti and Najeem Salaam to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

While the Oyetola camp welcomed the move as a chance to consolidate control, many insiders admit it drained the party of its grassroots machinery.

A senior APC member told Patriotic Insights News:

“Since the expulsion of Aregbesola’s people, APC has not known peace. Many of us are still in APC physically, but spiritually we are gone.”

Another source went further, disclosing:

“The President and the Presidency don’t have an iota of confidence in the present Osun APC to win in 2026.”

The Oyetola Question

At the heart of the APC’s struggles is the dominance of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, who still commands the state’s party structure. But insiders say his influence has deepened internal resentment rather than unity.

“Most of the federal appointments are cornered by Oyetola loyalists. Instead of healing the party, this has alienated others and caused more damage than good,” a source close to one of the aspirants told Patriotic Insights News.

The result is a party where mistrust runs high, and reconciliation seems elusive.

A Missed Opportunity with Adeleke

Adding to APC’s woes is a missed opportunity involving the current governor. Multiple party insiders confirmed to Patriotic Insight  News that Governor Ademola Adeleke made overtures to defect to APC only a few months ago.

That move, however, was reportedly blocked by Oyetola’s camp.

“That singular action has cost APC dearly,” a chieftain lamented. “Instead of weakening PDP, Adeleke is now consolidating it. The chance to destabilise the ruling party was wasted.”

ADC’s Silent Ground Game

While APC quarrels openly and PDP consolidates power, the ADC has quietly been building at the grassroots.

Now the political base of Aregbesola and his allies, the ADC has deliberately avoided media noise, choosing instead to focus on ward-level mobilisation.

A source within the ADC told Patriotic  Insights News:

“People think we are quiet, but we are busy with grassroots work. While APC and PDP are fighting publicly, ADC is building silently. 2026 will surprise many.”

Analysts believe that with Aregbesola’s influence in Osun West and Central, the ADC could play a decisive role either as spoiler to APC or as a viable third force, depending on how pre-election coalitions take shape.

The Road to 2026

The battle for Osun is shaping into a triangular contest:

APC: Divided between Omisore’s grassroots push and Oyetola’s federal grip, weakened by distrust.

PDP: Confident under Adeleke, buoyed by incumbency and worker-friendly populism.

ADC: Quietly consolidating under Aregbesola, with potential to swing the balance in key districts.

For APC, the challenge is no longer simply about producing a candidate. The bigger test lies in whether the party can reconcile its factions, regain the confidence of Abuja, and rebuild trust among its grassroots.

With less than two months to its governorship primary, the clock is ticking. If Omisore’s storm is not channelled into reconciliation, it could scatter the APC further and hand the advantage to PDP or even ADC.

Outlook

The stakes could not be higher. Osun has long been a political bellwether in the South-West. A fragmented APC risks not only losing the governorship in 2026 but also weakening its broader influence in the region.

As things stand, Omisore’s ambition has exposed fault lines that can no longer be ignored. Whether the APC can rise above personal rivalries and factional bitterness will determine not just its fate in Osun, but its relevance in the unfolding political map of Nigeria.