OSUN 2026: As APC Moves to Zone Governorship Ticket to Osun West, Who Is Most Likely to Emerge?

With indications growing stronger that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State will zone its 2026 governorship ticket to Osun West Senatorial District, political activities in the zone have intensified. The move, seen as a strategic attempt to balance regional interests and revive APC’s chances after the 2022 loss, has positioned three frontline aspirants at the center of the conversation: Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, Dotun Babayemi, and Munirudeen Adegboyega Oyebamiji. Each brings a unique combination of popularity, political experience, financial muscle, and grassroots reach—factors that will ultimately determine who secures the highly coveted ticket.

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Benedict Alabi: The Loyal Party Man with Broad Recognition

Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, popularly known as BOA, remains one of the most recognizable names in Osun APC. His emergence as the deputy governorship candidate in the 2018 election placed him firmly on the political map. Since then, he has maintained strong relationships with party elders, national leaders, and the core Oyetola political establishment. This loyalty gives him an institutional advantage.

Alabi’s major strengths include visibility, elite acceptance, and an image that appeals to the middle class. Although he has not held many executive political roles, his exposure from the 2018 contest gives him a statewide profile that newer aspirants struggle to match. In terms of popularity, BOA is well-known in Irewole and its adjoining communities, though his grassroots penetration is moderate compared to his rivals.

Financially, Alabi is comfortable and capable of funding an extensive primary campaign, though he may not match the resources of more business-established politicians. His challenge remains energizing deeper grassroots networks in rural sections of Osun West. Nevertheless, his loyalty, calm persona, and perceived reliability make him a serious contender for the APC ticket.

Dotun Babayemi: The Grassroots Mobiliser with the Strongest Popular Appeal

Dotun Babayemi stands out as the most charismatic and publicly popular among the three aspirants. A former governorship aspirant under the PDP, Babayemi’s name resonates across Osun West, particularly in Ayedaade, Irewole, Isokan, parts of Iwo, and Ejigbo. For over a decade, he has built a formidable political structure anchored on youth mobilization, community engagement, and consistent presence in local politics.

His strengths lie in deep grassroots appeal, strong social influence, and significant financial capacity. Babayemi commands sizable support from both older politicians who see him as bold and young voters who see him as energetic and approachable. His philanthropic efforts—community development projects, empowerment programmes, and strategic political meetings—have further boosted his positioning.

However, Babayemi faces the toughest internal resistance within APC. Many party stakeholders remain cautious due to his long association with the PDP and his previous battles against PDP leadership. Some APC leaders fear he may be difficult to control if he becomes governor. While this does not diminish his popularity, it limits his acceptability among the party hierarchy, especially the Oyetola-led structure, which still dominates the APC machinery in Osun.

Munirudeen Adegboyega Oyebamiji: The Technocrat with the Strongest Establishment Backing

Among the three, former Commissioner for Finance, Munirudeen Adegboyega Oyebamiji, is widely considered the most experienced in governance. With a background in banking and public finance management, Oyebamiji served as Osun’s Commissioner for Finance during some of the state’s most challenging periods. His tenure earned him a reputation for competence, discipline, and administrative expertise.

Oyebamiji’s popularity is strongest among civil servants, professionals, business elites, and technocrats who see him as a stabilizer and an administrator capable of effective governance. While he is not the loudest in public mobilization, his quiet but firm influence in Iwo—and his rising profile across Osun West—give him a growing grassroots foundation.

Financially, he enjoys strong support from the private sector and political financiers who appreciate his credibility. Politically, he is viewed as reliable by the party’s central command, especially the Oyetola faction. Within the APC power structure, Oyebamiji currently enjoys the highest level of institutional endorsement.

His only weakness is that he may need to intensify his grassroots charm offensive to match Babayemi’s organic popularity. But his establishment support gives him a significant edge where it matters most in primaries.

Who Is Most Likely to Win the Osun APC Ticket?

At this stage, a clear pattern has emerged:

Most Likely to Emerge: Munirudeen Adegboyega Oyebamiji

His strong relationship with APC leaders, deep administrative experience, and image as a technocrat make him the preferred choice for the party’s inner circle. If the APC opts for stability, loyalty, and cohesion, Oyebamiji stands in the strongest position to win.

Second Likely: Benedict Alabi

BOA is the safe alternative if consensus talks shift. He is loyal, less controversial, and widely accepted within the existing party hierarchy. If the contest becomes a negotiation, he could benefit as the compromise candidate.

Third Likely: Dotun Babayemi

In terms of popularity with ordinary voters, Babayemi is arguably ahead. But APC primaries are influenced more by structures than raw public support. His lower acceptability among the party’s inner power circle places him at a disadvantage.

The race for the Osun APC 2026 ticket, if zoned to Osun West, will be competitive and politically charged. While Babayemi leads in grassroots enthusiasm and Alabi in recognition, Oyebamiji currently holds the most strategic advantage: executive experience, establishment endorsement, and a reputation for competence. Unless internal dynamics shift dramatically, he remains the frontrunner in the emerging political calculations of Osun APC.