‘Osogbolokan!’ Indigenes Demand Osun 2026 Governorship Slot

Indigenes of Osogbo, capital of Osun State have appealed to all political parties in the state to zone their Governirship ticket for the 2026 Governirship election to Osogbo.

At a press conference held at the Osogbo City Hall on Thursday, the Coalition Of Osogbo Indigenous Groups said Osogbo should get given a chance to produce the next Governor.

Speaking on behalf of the groups, an indigene of Osogbo, Mr Omosola Olabode said Osogbo has qualified, competent and capable sons and daughters for the position.

He noted that Osogbo had supported other towns in the state in the past and called on all indigenes and residents of Osun State to support Osogbo to produce next Governor of Osun State.

He said indigenes of Osogbo have unanimously agreed to support and vote massively for any party that picks an Osogbo indigene as its candidate.

Olabode said the Coalition of Osogbo Indigenous Groups collectively resolved to re-echo the demand that all political parties in the next year Governorship election in Osun State should pick Osogbo indigenes as their candidates.

The coalition said all structures, political and non-political in Osogbo would work together to ensure that massive votes for any party that picks Osogbo indigene as its candidate.

The Coalition of Osogbo Indigenous Groups comprises all Osogbo Indigenous associations, created to support the progress of Osogbo in all ramifications said apart from the fact that Osogbo has not produced a Governor since the creation of Osun State, our request for an Osogbo indigene to govern Osun State in 2026 is rooted in several key reasons.

Olabode noted that the historical significance of Osogbo in Osun socio-politics requires that an indigene of the town should be the State Governor in 2026.

His words “The identity of Osun State is constructed from Osogbo traditional spirituality, as the name Osun is a popular Yoruba deity in Osogbo. Besides the spiritual connection, Osogbo was a battlefield where the Fulani marauders that could have conquered the rest of the Yoruba kingdoms were checkmated in 1836. The colonial economic history of Osun cannot be retold without the currency of Osogbo in the narratives.

“It is on record that Osogbo soars up as the most populated city in Osun State with representations from all local government areas resident in the city. Indeed Osogbo is the commercial hub of Osun State with a very significant contribution to the daily economic activities in the State occurring in city.

“Osogbo boasts of highly qualified indigenes whose contributions to Nigeria are noticeable but the city has never been allowed to produce Governor of the State. There is, therefore, the need for equitable representation and a fair share of leadership opportunities. By electing a Governor from Osogbo, the State can review the wrong, redeem the imbalances against Osogbo and promote a sense of inclusivity.

“The voting strength of Osogbo has ever been the champion of all times among other towns across Osun.

“Apart from the much needed infrastructures and other developmental projects that we have been deprived of, Osogbo is the only State capital that has not been given a higher institution by the Federal Government. No ministerial or ambassadorial appointment over the years.

“The vastness in the growth of Osogbo requires that an indigene of the city should be the next Governor of Osun State. According to the existing data, Osogbo is the fifth most fast-growing city in southwestern Nigeria. Therefore the city requires accelerated development and infrastructural growth, which has been undermined over the years.

“It is therefore important that a Governor from Osogbo would be better positioned to understand the city’s unique challenges and opportunities, driving targeted investments and initiatives which will spread beyond the capital city itself but spiral into the State capital territory by which neighbouring town will equally develop.

“A Governor from Osogbo would have a deeper understanding of the local dynamics, fostering a stronger connection with the grassroots population. This connection would promote accountability, as the Governor would be more attuned to the needs and concerns of the people and the need to make the state capital answer the name ‘capital’ in all its ramifications.

“From the reasons stated above in favour of Osogbo in producing the next Governor of Osun State, the Coalition of Osogbo Indigenous Groups therefore called on all political parties in Osun State to consider any of the Osogbo indigenes contesting for the 2026 governorship position in each political party’s primaries.”

The coalition said any political party, especially the three leading political parties in Osun State, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), among others, who allows an Osogbo indigene as its party candidate in 2026 shall get the overwhelming support from Osogbo.