APC, Osun 2026; Omoworare Is The Acceptable Unifier By Olatunde Dairo

Osun State 2026 election is the last off cycle election and a frontrunner to the 2027 Presidential election in Nigeria,. 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. To this end, our success or failure begins with our choice of gubernatorial candidate based on state wide acceptability, voters appeal, community support and voting strength,

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 pushing for zoning the Guber 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 concern 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. 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 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 1999 led Lagos State Government House of Assembly to becoming the Majority Leader of that parliament and his eventual return to Osun to run for Senate 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 unwaivering.

The Ile-Ife born Senator has a rich and enviable pedigree being a stalk of two politically progressive families. His father, Chief Joseph Lareaju 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. Chief Lareaju Omoworare, The Woye Omirin of Ile-Ife 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 Councilor in the Ife Divisional Council in the 1950’s. His great grandfather Oloye Daniel Omoworare, one of the early educated Ife men and Baba Ijo of St Peter’s Anglican Church Iremo was a foundation member of Egbe Agba Afenifere.

Senator Babajide Omoworare is a Grandson of His Imperial Majesty, Sir Adesoji 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, London trained seamstress and 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 practice and political prospect in Lagos.

Upon his graduation from the Prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University in 1988, 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 State Constituency 1. Babajide Omoworare is an experienced lawyer of over 35 years at the bar, a parliamentarian of about 16 years, a two term senator and a former Senior Special Assistant 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, 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 Osun APC 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.

What APC require at this time is a candidate with huge and dependable political experience, battle tested and confirmed politician with technical capacity to blend politics and governance for the development of Osun State. Someone who is already a brand in the party and is grass rooted in his immediate community to be able to attract support that can maximize essential votes needed to tilt the Ede balance in favor of APC.

Fortunately, SBO is from Ile-Ife, the heart of the Ife Federal Constituency a political enclave that has contributed huge critical votes to the making of Governors like Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke, Chief Bisi Akande and Prince Oyinlola. SBO has a strong political following in Ile-Ife. His political rating in Ife land is at its highest level as we speak and he will definitely get the local and traditional support that can mobilize such humongous votes needed by APC to dislodge PDP in 2026.

The love of his people for him is a reciprocation of the infrastructure which he attracted to the community as the Senior Advisor to the President. These include the rehabilitation of about eleven inner city roads and a network of Solar street lights illuminating Ife at night. Prior to his recent political enhancement, his performance as a two term Senator for Osun East and his delivery of his legislative duties on the floor of the Senate remains indelible and enviable.

Furthermore, SBO has an amiable personality. He’s humble in disposition, approachable and accessible. He is one of the few politicians in APC that enjoys being within a wide network of political colleagues. He doesn’t come with baggages and he will be acceptable to various divides of the party. This is the description of a candidate that APC should have in 2026, a unifier that can mend our differences, consolidate our shared objectives, ensure we project a unity of purpose and lead the party to victory. He will enjoy the confidence of the party members and leaders. His closeness to party leaders like President Tinubu, Baba Akande and Minister Oyetola will continue to reinforce his loyalty to party ideals.

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 who has never lost any election before.

Olatunde Dairo
Ward 1, Oluponna,
Ayedire Local Government

Disclaimer: This piece represents the opinion of the writer not that of CityMirrorNews