Legal luminary, Kunle Adegoke, SAN (popularly known as K-RAD) on Monday shook Osogbo, the Osun State Capital to its foundation when he formally declared his intention to vie for the number one public office in the state.
NewsClick Nigeria reports that Adegoke will be contesting on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and will be slugging it out with incumbent, Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2026 should he get the party’s ticket.
The colourful declaration attracted party faithfuls, artisans, market women, youths, and members of the Okada Riders Association.
The ecstatic supporters trooped out in their numbers chanting, drumming, singing, and dancing at Adegoke’s campaign office in Alekuwodo. From there, a massive procession snaked its way through the streets of Osogbo to the party’s state secretariat at Ogo Oluwa.
The atmosphere was electric. Banners fluttered in the wind, placards bearing bold inscriptions of support were hoisted high, and party paraphernalia painted the city in a symphony of the APC’s colours. By the time Adegoke’s entourage arrived, the crowd had swelled into thousands, spilling beyond the gates of the secretariat.
At the party headquarters, Adegoke was received by the state APC Chairman, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, alongside other members of the State Executive Committee. Elders of the party, grassroots mobilisers, and key stakeholders stood in solidarity as the man of the moment took the stage.
In his vision-driven speech, Adegoke outlined his blueprint for a new Osun State. He lamented the state’s current “epileptic” development pace, promising a strategic turnaround that would place Osun on the map as a centre of agricultural, industrial, and intellectual excellence.
From agriculture to mining, education and tourism, Adegoke’s blueprint for the state covers all.
On agriculture, he highlighted his point thus:
“Osun has over 300,000 hectares of arable land—much of it untouched. With the right investment, irrigation systems, mechanised farming, and cooperative-driven funding, we can transform this land into a food powerhouse, feeding not only Osun but also neighbouring states. We will create agricultural value chains that produce, process, and export, thereby generating wealth for our people and employment for our youths.”
For mining, the legal giant reminded the electorates that Osun is naturally blessed with mineral resources that are, in his words, “waiting to be tapped in a structured, sustainable, and corruption-free way.” He pledged to introduce world-class mining practices, leveraging global best standards to ensure transparency, environmental safety, and local participation in the lucrative sector.
In tourism, Adegoke promised to revive the state’s rich cultural heritage and natural attractions: “From the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove to our scenic hills, rivers, and festivals, we will create tourism circuits that draw visitors from across the world. With proper infrastructure, security, and marketing, tourism can become one of the main pillars of our economy.”
For education, his proposed programmes include: teacher retraining programmes, investment in modern laboratories and ICT infrastructure, strengthening vocational education and partnership with global institutions for curriculum development.
In a rare show of political maturity, the governorship hopeful acknowledged other aspirants in the race, describing them as “brothers in the struggle” while assuring to support whoever emerged as the party’s candidate in the primaries, thus reaffirming his loyalty to the party’s unity and ultimate victory in 2026.
The state party chairman, in his speech lauded Adegoke’s “intelligence, clarity, and coherent articulation” of his development strategy, describing it as “a breath of fresh air.” He commended the people of Osogbo for producing a son of such calibre and prayed for divine favour on KRad’s political journey.
Other party leaders echoed similar sentiments, describing KRad as a disciplined, principled, and visionary politician whose commitment to Osun’s growth was beyond question.
