The Senate of the League of Imams in Osogbo, also known as the Alasaro of Osogbo, has called on political parties in Osun State to zone their 2026 governorship tickets to Osogbo, the state capital, in the interest of fairness and equity.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the President, Sheikh Ilyas Afolabi Alawe, said indigenes of Osogbo are united in their demand that it is now the turn of the town to produce the next governor of Osun State.
He noted that Osogbo, a historic town in the old Western Region and formerly part of the old Oyo State, has played a decisive role in determining who occupies the Bola Ige Government House but has never produced a governor since the creation of Osun 34 years ago.
According to him, community elders, leaders, and stakeholders from Osogbo are now resolute in their bid to ensure the situation changes in 2026.
The Islamic cleric made the call during a live interview on OSBC 104.5 FM, Osogbo, on Wednesday, stressing that justice and inclusiveness demand that the next governor of Osun should emerge from Osogbo.
He said “We can start with the forthcoming governorship election by rallying behind our competent sons and daughters from various political parties vying for the seat.”
A prominent lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kunle Rasheed Adegoke
hails from Osogbo and he’s vying for governor ticket of All Progressive Congress for the the forthcoming gubernatorial election.
Recall that the Chairman of the Osogbo Elders Council, Prince Adeleke Oduola Ibiloye, and the traditional heads of communities (Baales) had earlier expressed similar sentiments in separate interviews on OSBC 104.5 FM, where they also backed the zoning of the 2026 governorship seat to Osogbo.
“We have, over time, stood firmly behind other towns that sought our support for their own in various political capacities. It is now time to extend that same hand of fellowship and support to our very own. It is our turn to produce the next governor of this state in 2026, and we believe those we have supported in the past will now repay our good gestures,” Prince Ibiloye said.
Also aligning with this position, the Baale of Gbodofon and Chairman of the Council of Baales in Osogbo, High Chief Jimoh Ibrahim, reaffirmed their commitment to the cause.
“The Elders Council has successfully united all Baales in Osogbo to ensure that our wish for the emergence of an Osogbo son or daughter is realized. I can boldly say, as Chairman of the Council of Baales in Osogbo land, that we are solidly behind the Elders Council in this quest and will play our parts to ensure success. Love is what unites the world, and it is that love I pray for among our men and women—that we should not be divided, that we forgive one another, and remember that God’s grace is sufficient for us all. May God show us mercy.”
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has lifted the ban on political activities and fixed Saturday, August 8, 2026, for the Osun State governorship election.
