By John Dike, Osogbo
Community leaders (Baales) in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, have thrown their weight behind the town’s Elders Council, insisting that the 2026 governorship ticket of all major political parties must be zoned to Osogbo.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the governorship election for Saturday, August 8, 2026.
Despite Osogbo’s longstanding influence as a decisive voting bloc in Osun politics, dating back to its days in the old Oyo State, no indigene has ever been elected governor in the 34 years since the state’s creation.
Speaking on Oroki Asala, a current affairs programme on Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) Radio, the Baale of Gbodofon and Chairman of the Council of Baales in Osogbo, High Chief Jimoh Ibrahim, emphasized that the town is now more united than ever in its demand to produce the next governor.
He credited the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, for taking decisive steps to end the political divisions that had previously hindered Osogbo’s chances, particularly through the creation of the Osogbo Action Committee and the Osogbo Elders Council.
“The Elders Council has successfully united all Baales in Osogbo,” said High Chief Ibrahim.
“As Chairman of the Council of Baales, I affirm that we stand solidly behind this call for an Osogbo indigene to emerge as governor. We are ready to play our part to make it happen.”
Also speaking, Prince Adeleke Oduola Ibiloye, Chairman of the Osogbo Elders Council, stressed that Osogbo’s years of political loyalty must now be reciprocated.
“We have consistently supported candidates from other parts of the state. It is now time for the rest of Osun to support Osogbo. The 2026 governorship slot should come to us, and we are fully committed to actualizing this goal,” he declared.
