Ahead of the August 8, 2026, governorship election in Osun State, Coalition of Osogbo Indigenous Groups have made a clarion call on all political parties to present an Osogbo indigene as their candidate for the election as the next governor in the state.
The call that was made in Osogbo on Thursday at a press conference addressed by Mr Omosola Olabode on behalf of the Coalition of Osogbo Indigenous Groups lamented the marginalisation of Osogbo natives in the exalted seat.
Olabode, a prominent son and daughter of Osogbo, flanked at the conference, noted that for the past 35 years, since the creation of Osun State, no indigene of the ancient town has emerged as governor of the state despite its historic significance to the state.
The Coalition assured that because of the voting strength of Osogbo, which has ever been the champion of all times among other towns across Osun, and the sympathy received from different communities in the state, any political party that presents an Osogbo indigene as its candidate will have an easy ride to the Bola Ige House, the seat of the Osun government.
According to him, it is on record that Osogbo soars up as the most populated city in Osun State, with representations from all local government areas resident in the town, adding that Osogbo is indeed the commercial hub of Osun State, with more than 65 per cent of daily economic activities in the State occurring in the city.
His words: “Osogbo boasts of highly qualified indigenes whose contributions to Nigeria are noticeable, but the city has never been allowed to produce a Governor of the State. There is, therefore, a need for equitable representation and a fair share of leadership opportunities.
The groups contended that the rapid growth of Osogbo necessitates that an indigene of the city should be the governor of Osun State, adding that, according to existing data, Osogbo is the fifth fastest-growing city in southwestern Nigeria.
They believed that by electing a governor from Osogbo, the state could rectify the wrongs, address the imbalances affecting Osogbo, and promote a sense of inclusivity.
