The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has begun positioning for the 2027 general election with the emergence of candidates for the state’s three senatorial districts following the party’s primary process.
The trio of Dr. Akinade Ogunbiyi, Kunle Rasheed Adegoke (SAN), and Senator Francis Adenigba emerged as the party’s standard-bearers for Osun West, Osun Central and Osun East Senatorial Districts respectively.
Their emergence is expected to shape the APC’s strategy as the party seeks to regain political dominance in the state ahead of the next National Assembly elections.
Osun West: Dr. Akinade Ogunbiyi
Akin Ogunbiyi emerged as the APC senatorial candidate for Osun West after securing the support of party delegates during the primary process held across the 110 wards in the district on May 18.
The results were announced in Osogbo by the APC Senatorial Primary Election Committee led by Bayo Ayo Esq.
According to the results declared by the committee, Ogunbiyi polled 30,651 votes.
The committee subsequently returned Ogunbiyi as the APC senatorial candidate for Osun West Senatorial District.
Ogunbiyi is one of the most familiar political figures in Osun West, having contested major elections in the state over the years. He previously sought the governorship ticket in Osun and has remained a prominent figure within the progressive political family.
His political structure cuts across the Thirty local governments in Osun, with strong support from party leaders, grassroots mobilisers, youth groups and professionals.
Observers believe his long-standing presence in Osun politics and extensive grassroots network played a significant role in his emergence as the party’s candidate.
Osun Central: Kunle Rasheed Adegoke (SAN)
For Osun Central, the APC ticket went to Kunle Rasheed Adegoke, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria widely known in political circles as K-RAD.
Adegoke emerged through the party’s primary election after receiving support from stakeholders across the district.
Beyond his legal career, he has been actively involved in progressive politics in Osun State and has maintained close relationships with party structures across the ten local governments in Osun Central.
Osun East: Francis Adenigba
In Osun East, the APC returned to experience with the emergence of Francis Adenigba as its senatorial candidate.
Adenigba is a serving senator representing Osun East in the National Assembly and remains one of the most recognisable political figures in the district.
Political analysts believe his incumbency, established political structure and visibility across communities in Osun East strengthened his position during the primary process.
The emergence of the three candidates signals the APC’s determination to mount a strong challenge in the 2027 National Assembly elections.
With Ogunbiyi bringing a vast grassroots network in Osun West, Adegoke relying on his legal and political credentials in Osun Central, and Adenigba banking on incumbency and established support in Osun East, the party enters the next phase of political mobilisation with candidates expected to play key roles in its electoral strategy.
House of Representatives Candidates:
Osogbo Federal Constituency — Ibrahim Taofik Kayode
Ayedaade Federal Constituency — Taiwo Oluga
Iwo Federal Constituency — Habeeb Adedamola
Ijesa South Federal Constituency — Sanya Omirin
Ede Federal Constituency — David Ayodele Asalu
Ila Federal Constituency — Simeon Adebisi Babawale
Ife Federal Constituency — Taofik Ajilesoro
Obokun Federal Constituency — Oluwole Oke
Boripe Federal Constituency — Eniafe Damilare
Political observers note that the immediate focus of the APC and its National Assembly candidates is the August 15, 2026 governorship election, where the party’s candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, will square up against incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Across the three senatorial districts, party structures loyal to Ogunbiyi, Adegoke and Adenigba have reportedly joined forces with the governorship campaign, as the APC seeks to reclaim Osun State in what is widely regarded as the last off-cycle governorship election before the 2027 general elections. The outcome of the poll is expected to shape the political landscape and momentum leading into the next national elections.