Senator Olu Alabi: “Osun Is Not Edo; Don’t Pocket Us”

A senior figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Olu Alabi, has issued a stern warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to steer clear of any plans to manipulate the 2026 Osun State governorship election in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Alabi, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees and one of the party’s founding fathers, stated unequivocally that Osun State is not a political territory that can be “pocketed,” unlike what he described as the experience in Edo State.

Alabi made the remarks during a radio interview in Osogbo on Monday, a broadcast closely monitored by our correspondent. His comments come amid growing political chatter around the so-called “Osogbo agenda,” a campaign by some citizens advocating for a governor to emerge from the state capital in the next election.

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Alabi Urges Patience Over Osogbo Agenda, Supports Adeleke’s Second Term

Speaking frankly about the political dynamics in Osun, Alabi acknowledged the sentiment behind the Osogbo agenda but insisted that it must be set aside for now to allow incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke complete a second term in office.

“Yes, there is an Osogbo agenda, but we should allow Adeleke to complete his second term,” Alabi stated.

The elder statesman, who hails from Osogbo, revealed that he himself was the first Osogbo indigene to contest for governor back in 1999, but lamented that he received fewer votes in Osogbo compared to other parts of the state. He recalled that the Ijesa people gave him more support than his own hometown.

“I was the first person from Osogbo to contest for governorship, but I knew the votes I had, even the Ijesa people voted for me more than my Osogbo people,” he said.

Alabi’s stance on the Osogbo agenda underscores a wider call for political maturity and patience. According to him, the best time to actualize such an agenda would be after Governor Adeleke completes his constitutionally allowed two terms, not before.

From Doubter to Supporter: Alabi Praises Adeleke’s Performance

Interestingly, Alabi admitted that he had initially opposed Governor Adeleke’s candidacy during the 2022 election cycle, doubting his ability to perform. However, he said Adeleke’s unexpected achievements had completely changed his perspective.

“I did not support Adeleke because I thought he would not perform, but his achievements have changed my mind,” he confessed.
“Ademola Adeleke is here to reform Osun, not to destroy it.”

Alabi went further to heap praise on the governor’s performance, pointing to improvements in infrastructure, especially in Osogbo. He made an emotive comparison of Osogbo’s transformation under Adeleke’s leadership to that of New York City at night, a nod to the urban development and beautification projects undertaken by the state government.

“You will think you are in New York when you see Osogbo at night,” he said enthusiastically.

“Don’t Do Edo Formula in Osun” – A Call to President Tinubu

In a more politically charged segment of the interview, Senator Alabi warned President Tinubu not to replicate what he described as the “Edo formula” in Osun, alluding to perceived manipulation in past elections in Edo State. He argued that Osun people are politically conscious and resistant to external domination.

“Don’t do Edo formula for us here. We are entirely Osun,” he warned.
“Tinubu should not torment us. Osun is not a state you can pocket.”

This statement reflects a deep-seated resistance to federal overreach and interference in local electoral matters, particularly from opposition-ruled states like Osun. Alabi’s remarks appear to be a preemptive caution against any plan by the ruling APC to influence the 2026 governorship race through federal might or institutional manipulation.

His message to Tinubu was clear: Respect the democratic process in Osun State.

Political Landscape Ahead of 2026: The Stakes Are Rising

Senator Alabi’s comments add fuel to the already-heating political atmosphere ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election. With Governor Adeleke expected to seek a second term, the PDP appears to be consolidating support at the grassroots and among key stakeholders. The party has been buoyed by positive public perception of Adeleke’s performance in office, especially in infrastructure, education, and social development.

On the other hand, the APC is reportedly preparing to make a strong comeback in the state it lost in 2022, potentially with backing from the presidency. Alabi’s warning signals that any such strategy involving undue interference will face stiff resistance from both the electorate and political veterans within Osun.

As political alignments and campaign strategies begin to form, the message from PDP elders like Alabi is clear: Governor Adeleke has earned a second term, and any effort to derail that ambition through external manipulation will be forcefully rejected.

The battle for Osun in 2026 is shaping up to be a test of political will, performance, and public sentiment — and by all indications, Osun’s political actors are bracing for a showdown.