Osogbo Baales back Elders, demand Osun 2026 governorship slot

Baales (heads of communities) in Osogbo, the Osun state capital have added their voice to the growing demands for zoning of governorship tickets of the three main political parties participating in the forthcoming governorship election in the state to zone their tickets to specifically Osogbo in Osun Central senatorial district.

Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier lifted the ban on political activities and fixed Saturday, August 8, 2026 for the Osun state governorship election.

Votes from Osogbo, a renowned town in old Western Nigeria, then Old Oyo State, and now capital of present-day Osun State, have played decisive roles in every election in determining who occupies Bola Ige Government House, Osogbo, as governor.

However, no son or daughter of Osogbo has ever been elected or served as governor since the state’s creation over 30 years ago—a narrative the elders, community heads, and other stakeholders are determined to change in 2026.

So far, the three leading political parties where competent Osogbo indigenes are contesting for the parties’ governorship ticket are All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Leading the discourse at the grassroots level, the community heads aired their opinion through the Baale of Gbodofon and Chairman of Council of Baales in Osogbo, High Chief Jimoh Ibrahim during an interview on Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) 104.5 FM in Osogbo on Wednesday, October 1.

“We thank God for what is happening in Osogbo today and for the prominent role the Ataoja of Osogbo is playing at ensuring that the entire Osogbo is united. Gone are the days when we go into an election with a divided house. The Ataoja, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun in his wisdom to put a long lasting end to the bickering (often over political matters) that has cost us our rightful place in the scheme of things in the state established two important bodies namely; Osogbo Action Committee and Osogbo Elders Council (Egbe Igbimon Agba Osogbo). Their mandate was clear from day one, to unite us all starting from communities. While the Osogbo Action Committee is led by Asiwaju of Osogbo, Hon. Justice Moshud Adekunle Adeigbe (Rtd), the Elders Council is led by Prince Adeleke Oduola Ibiloye.”

High Chief Jimoh maintained that the efforts of the bodies are already bearing fruits as Osogbo is now fully united hence the call by the Elders Council and other important stakeholders for the emergence of an Osogbo son or daughter as governor in 2026. He said the community heads are fully behind the Elders Council in this request and will play their part to ensure it comes to pass.

“The Elders Council has successfully united all Baales in Osogbo to ensure our wish for emergence of Osogbo son or daughter is actualized. I can make bold to say as Chairman of Council of Baales in Osogbo land that we are solidly behind Elders Council in this quest and we will play our parts to ensure this is actualized. Love is what unites the world together, it is that love that I pray for both men and women, that we should not be divided, we should forgive one another if offended knowing full well that the grace of God is enough for us all and God will show us mercy”

NewsClick Nigeria reports that Chairman of the Osogbo Elders Council, Prince Adeleke Oduola Ibiloye had earlier in an interview asserted the need for emergence of an indigene of the town as next governor of the state.

“We have, over time, stood firmly behind other towns who sought our support for their own in whatever political capacity. It is now time to extend that same hand of fellowship and support to our very own. It is now our turn to produce the next governor of this state in 2026, and we believe firmly that those we have supported in the past will repay our good gestures now,” Prince Ibiloye said.