Osun 2026: Oyinlola Dumps Adeleke Camp, Endorses APM Candidate Adewale Adebayo Amid Emerging Political Realignment
By Loveday Ekpo
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
Former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has publicly endorsed the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Adewale Adebayo, ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State, signaling a significant shift in the state's political landscape.
Speaking with journalists at his residence in Okuku, Osun State, after a strategic meeting with APM's 2026 governorship candidate and the party's National and State Assembly candidates for the 2027 elections, Oyinlola dismissed reports suggesting that the existing political alliance would support Governor Ademola Adeleke or any other political platform outside the APM.
The former governor explained that the alliance involving elements of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APM was established to provide a formidable political alternative ahead of both the 2026 governorship election and the 2027 general elections. According to him, the coalition is focused on building a strong political structure capable of competing effectively in the forthcoming electoral contests.
Oyinlola stated that the meeting was convened to familiarize party stakeholders with candidates seeking elective offices and to fine-tune strategies that would strengthen the alliance's electoral prospects. He emphasized that the partnership had already been formalized and that all efforts were now directed toward ensuring the success of APM candidates.
"This meeting is to get to know our candidates for the forthcoming elections, the governorship election and the general elections in 2027. This is a movement that combines APM and PDP. We have formed an alliance to present a formidable force for the forthcoming elections," Oyinlola said.
He further noted that the alliance would serve as the foundation for the coalition's political strategy, stressing that his endorsement was exclusively for candidates contesting under the APM platform. He urged all party candidates and supporters to intensify grassroots mobilization efforts and work diligently toward securing victory at the polls.
Also speaking, former National Vice-Chairman of the PDP, Tajudeen Oladipo, said he had received several appeals from political actors seeking his support before the meeting but declined such overtures. He maintained that many residents of Osun State were searching for a credible alternative to the dominant political parties.
According to Oladipo, the APM presents a viable platform capable of addressing the aspirations of the people, adding that the party's participation in the election is driven by a genuine commitment to governance rather than mere political symbolism.
Former Secretary to the State Government, Fatai Akinbade, also charged party candidates to approach the election with seriousness and determination, stressing the importance of sustained engagement with voters across the state.
For his part, APM governorship candidate Adewale Adebayo described the forthcoming Osun governorship election as a critical indicator of political developments ahead of the 2027 general elections. He expressed confidence that a strong showing by the party would reinforce its growing influence and demonstrate its readiness for future electoral contests.
Adebayo commended senior political figures who, according to him, resisted pressure from rival political parties and remained committed to the coalition's objectives. He expressed optimism that the support of allied political structures would enhance the party's chances of victory in the August poll.
Political observers say the endorsement by Oyinlola and other influential figures represents another chapter in the ongoing political realignment across Nigeria, where long-standing alliances are being reassessed and new coalitions are emerging ahead of the 2027 general elections. The development underscores the evolving nature of the country's political landscape, as key actors reposition themselves in pursuit of a new political order.
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