2026: We Must Learn From Past Mistakes, Makinde Tells APC Leadership Amid Emerging Gladiators

-Urges Party To Avoid Repeating Internal Divisions That Cost Them Power In 2022

As political realignments continue to shape the future of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial elections, Hon. Rotimi Makinde, a former member of the House of Representatives, has called for proactive leadership and genuine internal reflection within the party to avoid another loss to the opposition.

In a chat with journalists in Osogbo, Makinde cautioned that the APC must learn from past mistakes and avoid repeating internal divisions that cost them power in the 2022 polls.

According to him, the party is once again at a critical juncture where the handling of internal democracy will determine its fate, not only in Osun but nationally in 2027.

“Experience has shown me that our leaders have their own way of positioning people for the challenges ahead, if I go by the recent wave of appointments and empowerment initiatives, one can conveniently predict where the pendulum might swing. The choice before us now is to align and work for the party, or fall out.” he said.

He stressed that the manner in which the party manages its internal affairs, especially the selection of a governorship candidate, would be the ultimate decider of its unity and electoral success.

Speaking on the personality of some of the APC Chieftains who have shown interest to contest for the governorship election in Osun, Makinde profiled emerging contenders within the APC fold, describing them as formidable “gladiators” whose political experiences and loyalties are already setting the tone for heated competition.

He described Alhaji Bola Oyebamiji as “a gentleman to the core and a welfarist,” noting that he has long seen him as “a candidate to beat due to his closeness to our leader and his political maturity.”

On Senator Iyiola Omisore, Makinde called him “perhaps the most experienced among the contenders,” and someone well-positioned to benefit from bloc votes.

Makinde also acknowledged Benedict Olugboyega Alabi as a loyal party man, remarking that “if there are no unforeseen internal variables and the former governor decides not to recontest, then it may be difficult to justify excluding BOA from the race.”

Speaking of Senator Babajide Omoworare, he said “He is fantastic, steady, grassroots-oriented, and very experienced.
His national exposure, especially as a former aide to the president, gives him a wider advantage.”

Makinde also spoke about Senator Ajibola Basiru “He’s rich, not just materially, but intellectually. His knowledge, generosity, and wide appeal within the party make him a major force that must not be underestimated. He understands how the game works.”

On Nigeria Security, the Ile-ife born politician during the conversation, weighed in on Nigeria’s rising insecurity, especially the menace of kidnapping, calling for a national emergency.

“The rampant nature of this crime has severe implications for the nation’s security, economy, and overall well-being,” he said. “We must jettison the idea that highlighting insecurity is an attack on the ruling government. This is a war that has confronted every administration—it’s time to see it as a national war, not a party matter.”

He further questioned why the country has not deeply investigated the external forces behind the sustained violence, especially in the North.

“How did we lose our communal spirit as Nigerians?” he asked. “This is not just a Hausa problem, it is an external aggression, a form of strategic recolonization. Until we all recognize this war for what it is, we will continue to handle it with levity, and Nigeria will suffer for it.”

Makinde advocated a holistic and strategic approach to security reforms, calling for intelligence-driven operations and sincere collaboration among Nigeria’s security agencies.

While calling for God-fearing leadership, Makinde urged political leaders across the board to speak boldly and act with conscience.

“Let our leaders be proactive and speak in an indelible manner with the fear of God,” he declared. “This is not the time for silence or selfish alignments. We must rise above individual ambitions to protect the soul of our party and country.”