Without prejudice to anyone and their political sentiments, I write to push a personal opinion devoid of attempts at berating any divergent view. It is important to lay certain premises before I delve passionately into this expressions of mine. If you will agree with me, politics is a game of interest and numbers, it is also a tactical endeavour loaded with intrigues and denial of realities if one is blinded by the interest at stake. Osun State 2026 election is the last off cycle election and a frontrunner to the 2027 Presidential election in Nigeria....Read Full Article >>➤
Hence it must be a victory bound election for the Osun APC to ease the task of re-electing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. It is equally important that any reader of this opinion comes with open and objective analytical mind to understand my right to freedom of expression without prejudice to future alternative perspectives. I am human and I have my right to this freedom per time without let, restrictions or hindrances from any individual or group and will not hesitate to explore this to the fullest. I therefore implore anyone reading to put their prejudice or sentiment aside or rather, allow a deep understanding of my opinion take the central stage and not rage.
Another important point to note is the fact that this is neither an overtly or covertly sponsored nor influenced articulation. I am aware of possible, deliberate, and mischievous misinterpretations and misconstruction of my intentions, but I will not let these sentiments rob me of this moment of deep reflection and expression on possible nearest future of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun as we prepare for the 2026 gubernatorial election. This is not a preemptive disposition but lesson from experience with the past forays but a truthful and objective projection and I have no regret beaming this light towards a clearer path for all
Going forward, putting the priorities right at this crucial juncture if victory is the focus of any APC member be it in Osun or beyond, victory at the coming gubernatorial election is of great essence, victory or otherwise, God forbid will resonate within Osun State and Nigeria. Being conscious of the fact that the choice we make and how we make them may have consequences beyond our individual or collective prejudice is very crucial. Setting and getting our priorities right either as leaders or members of the party can never be ignored. If electoral victory for 2026 is our interest, open minded political analysis and positioning is definitely crucial ingredient of intense value.
Certain questions must be asked, are we determined to dislodge the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led government of Osun State from power or is in the party’s interested to field a candidate that will be on the ballot paper for the sake of election. Yes, our interests inform and influence our choices, it is however important to place collective interest of victory over individual or pecuniary benefit or partaking in election booty.
At a time at the early hours of the Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola’s political feud, I passionately appealed to the two leaders to make perpetuity of our tendency and interest of the members a serious and top priority. Followers of the two camps were admonished not to discard caution or fecund the brewing crisis between the two accomplished leaders, warning that where two elephants fight, the grass suffers the destructive consequences and here is APC today still nursing the wound with desperate blame game after the 2022 defeat by the PDP.
I will rather we embrace collective approach with objectivity for a victorious 2026 than divisiveness to end with another blame game of who did or who did not do anti-party to sabotage election. We cannot do things the same way and expect a different result, that will amount to standing logic on its head. Presenting a candidate for the party is a must and must be rightly done in the interest of the collective, for the party members and the people of Osun State who deserve the best of governance, capable and clearheaded hands to pilot our affairs.
While appreciating the audacity of different political blocs and groups to push their interest, I want to assure us that whatever the consequences are will be our collective baggage for the nearest future. As we push our sentiments and views, the need for the party leadership to engage in objective strategic thinking for a victorious outing for the party in 2026 is long over due. Expression of divergent views and clash of interest in the last quarter of 2024 has rejuvenated political vibes in the party and I say this is a positive and reinvigorating development in a party seemingly experiencing a form of political lull, siege and graveyard silence since 2022 defeat.
Without prejudice as earlier stated, I am from Osun West, Oluponna to be precise, don’t ask me where that is, except you are not a player on the Osun political turf. I salute the doggedness of my leaders and kinsmen from Osun West, for pushing for zoning the gubernatorial ticket of APC to our Senatorial District, the audacious jabs of the Osogbo team for the Osun number one job and the passionate sentiments being pushed by the Ile-Ife bloc to have a shot at the Governor seat. Sincerely, all the interest expressed are valid going by the Yoruba adage of Omo eni o le se idi bebere, ka f’ileke s’idi Omo elomii. My overwhelming and profound concern and I am sure there will be like minds, is about the party putting its best foot forward or sending its best acceptable man with cognate political experience, character, capacity and competence to lead the 2026 charge of the All Progressives Congress.
Without mincing words, I must state categorically clear that I respect all views expressed and sentiments involved and will appreciate if mine is accorded same without bile. May I take a step forward by hitting the bullseye and laying speculations to rest. It is not secret that I have worked with Senator Babajide Omoworare for almost two decades, I am aware of his capacity, character and competence and will not shy from showcasing this at anytime and anywhere, regardless of the circumstances even beyond politics.
Senator Babajide Omoworare, fondly called SBO, is a politician of note who has paid his dues on both National and State political stages. As the youngest member of the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Alliance for Democracy (AD) 1999-led Lagos State Government House of Assembly to becoming the Majority Leader of that parliament in 2003, and his eventual return to Osun State to run for Senate under the banner of Action Congress (AC) during the 2007 elections, Babajide Omoworare distinguished himself as a devoted, disciplined and dexterous progressive whose loyalty and dedication to the party is consistent and unwavering. He won the 2011 senatorial election under Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and was re-elected into the Senate in 2015.
The Ile-Ife born Senator has a rich and enviable pedigree being a stalk of two politically progressive families. His father, Chief Joseph Larewaju Omoworare was a devoted Catholic, farmer, politician, erudite scholar, seasoned school administrator and a respected community leader whose service to Ile-Ife and beyond remains indelible till date. He was a member of the Action Group and one of the wise men that influenced the Awolowo/Western Nigeria Free Education Policy. He also served as a Local Councillor in the Ife Divisional Council in the 1950’s. His great grandfather Pa Daniel Omoworare, one of the earliest educated Ife men, Baba Ijo of St Peter’s Anglican Church, Iremo, Ile-Ife and a foundation member of Egbe Agba Afenifere, in Ile-Ife.
Senator Babajide Omoworare is also a grandson of His Imperial Majesty, Sir Adesoji Tadenikawo Aderemi, a former Governor-General of the Old Western Region and Ooni of Ife who reigned for 50 years. His mother Princess Teniade Areoye Omoworare (nee Aderemi) was a dedicated wife, mother, and London trained couturier and gastronomist. She was a successful trader who did not allow royalty erode her sense of duty and modesty. Babajide Omoworare was trained with royalty, erudition, discipline, dedication to public service and above all the fear of God as a Christian. Little wonder he returned to Osun State after less than two decades of professional legal practice and political prospect in Lagos.
Upon his graduation from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University in 1989, as fate and practice of his training led, he joined the Babalakin and Co in 1990 after his Law school and call to bar as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria before his election in Lagos State Assembly to represent Ifako-Ijaiye State Constituency 1. Babajide Omoworare is an experienced lawyer of about 35 years at the bar, a parliamentarian for about 16 years, a two term senator and a former Senior Legislative Advisor to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
His humility, dedication to humanity, excellent service delivery, open political perspective, approachable disposition and wide political acceptability in his Ile-Ife political base (with huge one directional voting pattern), Osun East where he served as two terms senator and his network of allies across the state gives him an edge and places him at an advantage such that if fielded as a candidate of APC in Osun State, he will lead us to electoral victory. With the people and God always on his side, he has never been defeated in any election and this I am sure God willing will not be an exception.
Rather than engaging in needless tirade, banters or unprovoked insults on this unapologetic views and preference of mine by showcasing this undefeated politician of note, kindly make this debate robust by showcasing your preferred choice and better hands to drive us to a bright and victorious 2026 election. I have made and presented my choice, who is yours and what are his antecedents, political profile, academic and public service records that towers above the electable Senator Babajide Omoworare, a two time awarded Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) who has never lost any election before.
Olatunde Dairo
Ward 1, Oluponna,
Ayedire Local Government.
Osun West Senatorial District
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