The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress 2026 Osun State governorship primary committee and Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has disclosed that the ruling party will select its candidate through affirmation rather than a competitive ballot.
Okpebholo made the disclosure on Friday during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, ahead of the party’s scheduled primary election. The meeting was convened to brief party leaders, aspirants, and delegates on the procedures guiding the selection process and to encourage unity within the party.
Okay News reports that the All Progressives Congress has fixed Saturday, December Eighteen, for its Osun State governorship primary, with all accredited delegates expected to converge at a single venue in Osogbo for the exercise.
The meeting drew attendance from a wide spectrum of party figures, including aspirants who were earlier disqualified during the screening process. Among those present were former Osun State Deputy Governor Benedict Alabi, former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly Timothy Owoeye, Osun State All Progressives Congress Chairman Tajudeen Lawal, and former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji, who is widely regarded as the leading aspirant.
Oyebamiji and former Ifelodun State Constituency lawmaker Mulikat Abiola were previously cleared by the party’s screening committee to contest the primary. However, seven other aspirants, including former National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress Iyiola Omisore, were disqualified during screening conducted at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
Explaining the rationale behind the adopted method, Okpebholo told stakeholders, “This gathering reflects our collective resolve, not only to strengthen internal democracy but to reclaim Osun State into the progressive fold and restore purposeful leadership.
“The purpose of this meeting is to formally brief you on the arrival of the primary election committee in Osun State and to outline the modalities guiding Saturday’s exercise. Transparency is key, and we want every stakeholder to understand the process publicly.
“As you are aware, the mode of the primary will be by consensus. All one thousand six hundred and sixty accredited delegates will converge at the designated venue to affirm the choice of our party’s candidate for the next gubernatorial election. Let me emphasise that no delegates will be allowed into the venue without proper accreditation. This is to ensure fairness and accountability throughout the process.”
He further appealed to party leaders, aspirants, delegates, and members across the state to cooperate fully with the primary election committee to ensure a peaceful and rancour-free exercise.
Earlier in his remarks, the co-chairman of the primary committee and Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Ayedatiwa, urged members of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State to put aside internal disagreements and work collectively for the success of the party ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
