The political atmosphere in southwestern Nigeria is gradually intensifying as preparations for the forthcoming governorship elections in Osun State and Ekiti State gather momentum, with Nigeria’s dominant political parties exchanging strong claims over their chances of victory while a rising opposition platform expresses confidence in its electoral strength.
The All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party have both declared readiness to dominate the polls, even as the African Democratic Congress insists it is strategically positioned to alter the political calculations in both states. The contest is shaping into a three-way struggle that could redefine the political landscape of the region ahead of the elections scheduled for next year.
Okay News reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission, Nigeria’s constitutionally empowered electoral body, has officially fixed the Ekiti State governorship election for June 20, 2026, while voters in Osun State are expected to head to the polls on August 8, 2026, to elect their next governor.
Reacting to the political developments, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Tanimu Turaki, asserted that Osun State and Ekiti State have historically remained strongholds of his party and would once again return to the Peoples Democratic Party at the polls. According to him, widespread dissatisfaction with the ruling party has strengthened public desire for a change in leadership at both state and national levels.
He said, “As you see, the two states, Osun and Ekiti, have always been strongholds of the Peoples Democratic Party. They are yearning for the return of the Peoples Democratic Party, and they will have what it takes. Peoples Democratic Party is now a very formidable party. People are yearning for the return of the party at the national level and across all states.
“In Osun State and in Ekiti State, they want the party to be in power. We are sure that under a free, fair, and credible election, our candidates in these states will emerge victorious. Because people have now seen the difference between an All Progressives Congress government and a Peoples Democratic Party government—they have tested the two. They know that the Peoples Democratic Party is better.
“So, we are confident that our candidates will win these two elections. They are tired of the All Progressives Congress administration. They are not interested in other political parties but Peoples Democratic Party. So we have a lot of optimism and confidence that we will win.”
On its part, the African Democratic Congress expressed strong optimism about its prospects in both states. The party’s National Youth Leader, Balarabe Rufai, stated that the party has built a formidable grassroots structure, particularly in Osun State, where its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, hails from.
He said, “Yes. We are very strong in Osun and Ekiti. As you know, our National Secretary is from Osun, and the party is so strong that it stands on its ground—even the incumbent governor wanted to join the party. Because of the strong support base we have and the opportunities we see, we maintain our party stands.
“So, we are very hopeful that Osun and Ekiti State governorship elections will be good for African Democratic Congress. Our party will perform well and even win. We are going to have victory in those states. Is it because Nigerians or these states are tired of the All Progressives Congress administration?
“Nigerians are tired of the All Progressives Congress. And that is a well-known fact. The inhuman policies that the government is introducing, also the unwanted borrowing by the government that is not yielding benefits for the right citizens—these are factors that work to our advantage. So, we are hopeful.”
However, the All Progressives Congress dismissed the claims of both opposition parties, insisting that the ruling party remains the most accepted political platform across the two states. The Director of Publicity of the All Progressives Congress, Bala Ibrahim, argued that performance and internal cohesion placed his party ahead of its rivals.
He stated, “What is their yardstick for saying Nigerians reject our party when they are actually leaving their own parties? What is the yardstick for saying that they are going to beat our party when they are being beaten? What is the yardstick they use in showing strength in what they do when they are manifesting weaknesses by exiting the party that put them in office?
“I do not know. Nigerians are not fools. They use reasoning to arrive at any decision they make. And these people are making foolish mistakes. All Progressives Congress will win those states, retain Ekiti, and win Osun. You see, all the indices on the ground are showing increased acceptance.
“What they fail to understand is that we work silently for peace—and we are winning, whereas they are always having problems that they cannot fix.”
As political campaigns gradually take shape, observers believe the coming months will test party structures, voter sentiment, and the credibility of electoral institutions as Osun and Ekiti prepare for crucial political transitions.
