Osun 2026: Osogbo Youths Accuse APC Leaders of Marginalisation, Plot to Impose Candidate

The Osogbo Progressive Youths Movement has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of neglecting the state capital and plotting to impose a governorship candidate ahead of the 2026 election in Osun State.

In a statement on Wednesday, Convener of the movement, Jimoh Oyekola Ajayi, said Osogbo had remained a loyal voting bloc for the APC yet continued to suffer political marginalisation despite its contributions to previous electoral victories.

Ajayi lamented that the ancient city had consistently sought federal institutions to stimulate its economy but had not produced a minister under past or current administrations. According to him, the party only turns to Osogbo during election periods because of its large and dependable vote base.

The movement recalled that the APC’s victory in the nullified local government election was secured at the tribunal through the efforts of an Osogbo-born Senior Advocate of Nigeria, AbdulRasheed Adegoke Okikiola.

Ajayi further noted that although Senator Ajibola Bashiru had performed impressively as National Secretary, Osogbo’s influence within the party hierarchy had been routinely downplayed when rewards were shared. He added that notable Osogbo politicians had been relegated to low-impact board appointments in northern agencies.

The statement listed federal institutions sited in Iragbiji, Iwo and Ila during APC administrations, stressing that Osogbo—the state capital—received none.

Ajayi urged the APC leadership to address what he described as “longstanding marginalisation” by returning the party’s governorship ticket to Osogbo ahead of the primary scheduled for December 13, 2025.

He warned that any attempt by the Iragbiji leadership to impose an Ikire candidate would be strongly resisted.

Part of the statement reads:
“Forgiveness is still possible if the APC corrects its wrongs now. Begin by giving Osogbo its rightful place in the forthcoming governorship primary. Genuine party loyalists want the ticket returned to Osogbo, but instead, the Iragbiji leadership, with only four wards, is trying to impose an Ikire candidate. That is political suicide.
“Our block votes will go to the party that honours Osogbo. Oyinlola once challenged us and we showed him the way out. This time, our votes will not be wasted. Osogbo is ready—honour us now or face the consequences at the polls.”