Osun 2026: Omisore, APC Leaders Meet Akande Over Fresh Campaign Strategy

Elders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State have held a strategic meeting with a former governor of the state, Bisi Akande, to review the party’s preparations ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

The meeting took place on Saturday at Akande’s country residence in Ila Orangun, where senior APC figures assessed the party’s campaign so far and discussed areas that might require additional attention ahead of the poll.

A photograph taken after the meeting, showing Akande and another former governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore, walking hand-in-hand, subsequently went viral on Sunday and sparked political interest.

Two participants at the meeting, who spoke anonymously because they were not authorised to speak publicly, said the Osun APC Elders’ Caucus reviewed the party’s campaign and offered recommendations aimed at boosting its chances in the election.

One of the participants told Punch, “Many elders of the party were present and, majorly, the group, Osun APC Elders’ Caucus, reviewed the party’s campaigns so far and made some suggestions.”

The source, however, said he was not aware of any private discussion between Akande and Omisore after the broader meeting.

“No, not to my knowledge. After the meeting, we all left. So I’m unaware of any private meeting between Baba Akande and Senator Omisore,” he said.

The Director-General of the Omisore Campaign Organisation, Ajibola Famurewa, who was present at the meeting, confirmed that the photograph was taken after the elders’ caucus session.

According to Famurewa, Omisore and Akande had lunch together after the meeting before the former governor accompanied Omisore to his vehicle.

“It was after the meeting of the Osun APC Elder Caucus, Agba Osun, at Chief Bisi Akande’s house that Otunba and Baba Akande went to his dining room for lunch. The photograph was taken at the meeting.

“After the lunch, Baba escorted him out to his vehicle, and we had a very reasonable discussion, which was all about what we have to do to win the election. Everybody said what they had in mind,” he said.

Famurewa added that the meeting also focused on areas where the APC believed its campaign required further strengthening.

“Yesterday, we assessed the whole campaign and highlighted where we think we have issues.

“He provided solutions, and everyone rubbed minds together, and we arrived at a reasonable conclusion,” he added.

Osun State voters are scheduled to go to the polls on Saturday, August 15, to elect a new governor. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared 14 political parties to participate in the election.

Among the leading contenders are the incumbent Governor, Ademola Adeleke, of the Accord Party and the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.