By Victor Oriola
As the 2026 gubernatorial election draws nearer in Osun, one politician stood above other aspirants jostling for the ticket of the All Progressives Congress(APC)
He is Iyiola Ajani Omisore, who has remained a strong factor in Osun politics. In 2018, when it was obvious that Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, the standard bearer of the APC, will not make it, Omisore, who stood on the platform of the Social Democratic Party was on hand to deliver the good even to the chagrin of the Afenifere leaders who felt that the APC does not deserve such favour from Omisore.
But as a politician with slender arms full of goodwill, he obliged the APC and pronto, Oyetola became the governor. It’s therefore not surprising when the former governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, encouraged Omisore to berth at the APC. He was later to become the National Secretary of the Party, where he discharged his duty creditably. He mobilised and ensured that President Bola Tinubu got the presidential ticket and capped it with electoral victory in 2023 before he stepped down.
Today in Osun politics, Omisore has become the numero uno that even when he has not indicated interest in the governorship, some canvassers have begun to campaign for Omisore. And like ‘Araba nla’ that he is in Osun politics, the opposition has continued to show signs of pre election lethargy. Will Omisore join the fray? Presently, Omisore is busy with his professional calling of engineering to the admiration of his professional colleagues. Recently, he was in Oyo State at the invitation of the state governor, Seyi Makinde, who is equally an engineer to put the younger ones through.
Omisore also received a standing ovation at the 15th mechanical engineering distinguished lecture at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja recently.
Today, Omisore is everywhere across the country and beyond impacting knowledge and promoting the engineering profession.
To cap it all, Omisore has just been appointed as the chairman Engineering Residency Program Task Force to advance the implementation of Engineering Residency Programme( ERP) in Nigeria.
If the doctrine of reciprocity is adhered to in the forthcoming Osun guber poll, Omisore is the only candidate that stands as a sure Banker for the APC since Mr Oyetola who reserves the honour of first refusal may not be interested anymore.
An analysis of the zoning is in favour of Omisore. From Oyetola, Osun central to Ademola Adeleke, Osun West, and now Omisore, Osun east.
Also, the voting demographics is in his favour. From Ife central to east, north and south, Omisore holds the ace.
Again, his kith and kins in the six Local governments in Ijesaland will make up the numbers. That’s apart from his supporters across the other two senatorial districts of West and Central.
As it stands today, Omisore is the only candidate in the APC that his candidature cut across. He’s the only candidate that can break into the strongholds of Adeleke and win substantial followers that will transform to an electoral victory.
Omisore is the only candidate in the APC who has the magic wand that can swing the electoral victory in favour of his party.
