As the September 22, 2018 Gubernatorial Election approaches in the state of Osun, many contenders are now gearing up for the state’s top job. Sodiq Yusuf of Osun Defender Online in this story presents the top aspirants from across the main political parties in the state.

Many contenders both known and unknown from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC and the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, have shown interest in taking over Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s job when he hands over on November 27. In this treatise, we try to present their resume, analyze their chances of emerging as candidates of their various political parties and winning the main election.

They say in politics, there are no permanent friend and foe, only permanent interest. As the D-day approach, alliances and dispositions will change, forces will merge to collaborate, many will decamp and cross carpet, but as of February, these are the top contenders for the job and how they stand.

The list of the top ten contenders is not arranged in any order.

1. Lasun Yussuff
Party: APC

Current Position: Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives

Previous Position: Member, House of Representatives

Local Government: Irepodun Local Government

Senatorial District: Osun Central Senatorial District

Date of Birth:October 4, 1960, 57 years


2. Moshood Adeoti
Party: APC

Current Position: Secretary to the State Governor, State of Osun

Previous Position: Pioneer Chairman, Action Congress, State of Osun

Local Government: Iwo Local Government

Senatorial District: Osun West Senatorial District

Date of Birth: 27th February 1953, 63 years


3. Gboyega Oyetola
Party: APC

Current Position: Chief of Staff to the Governor

Previous Position: Private Sector

Local Government: Boripe Local Government

Senatorial District: Osun Central Senatorial District

Date of Birth: October 1, 1954, 63 years.

4. Bola Oyebamiji
Party: APC

Current Position:Commissioner for Finance, State of Osun

Previous Position:Managing Director, Osun State Investment Company Limited, OSICOL

Local Government: Irewole Local Government

Senatorial District: OsunWest Senatorial District

Date of Birth: 17th November, 1965, 51 years old

5. Kayode Oduoye
Party: PDP

Current Position: Legal Practitioner,

Previous Position: Unknown

Local Government: Ifelodun Local Government

Senatorial District: OsunCentral Senatorial District

Date of Birth: October 6, 1970, 47 years.

6. Senator Iyiola Omisore
Party: PDP

Current Position: Nil

Previous Position: Two-term Senator (PDP, Osun East)

Local Government: Ife Central Local Government

Senatorial District: Osun East Senatorial District

Date of Birth: September 15, 1957, 60 Years

7. Lere Oyewumi
Party: PDP

Current Position: Nil

Previous Position: Former National Commissioner, National Population Commission

Local Government: Irewole Local Government

Senatorial District: Osun West Senatorial District

Date of Birth: January 5, 1960, 57 Years.

8. Fatai Akinbade
Party: PDP

Current Position: Nil

Previous Position: Former Secretary to the State Government

Local Government: Olaoluwa Local Government

Senatorial District: Osun West Senatorial District

Date of Birth: April 1955, 62 Years.


9. Kunle Adegoke (K-RAD)
Party: APC

Current Position: Legal Practitioner

Previous Position: NIL

Local Government: Osogbo Local Government

Senatorial District: Osun Central Senatorial District

Date of Birth: September 5, 1969, 48 Years

10. Najeem Salaam
Party: APC

Current Position: Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly

Post Held: Member representing Ejigbo Constituency, OSHA

Local Government: Ejigbo Local Government

Senatorial District: Osun West Senatorial District

Date of Birth: August 8, 1965, 52 Years