Ahead of Osun state Governorship 2026 Poll, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) Dr. Oyelami Saliu governorship candidate in Osun State has declared himself “the people’s candidate”, saying the other three front-runners are proxies of former governors and lack the mandate to change the state.
Speaking at the 10th Media Parley organised by the Osun Online Publishers Association (OOPA) in Osogbo on Saturday, the candidate said voters must choose between continuity of “old order politics” and a government driven by the people.
“I am the people’s candidate. The three other contestants – APC, Accord, and ADC – are candidates of former governors,” he said. “They represent the past. I represent the people of Osun. I will do better than them because my loyalty is to you, not to any godfather.”
The medical practitioner accused the APC candidate of being backed by ex-Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, Accord’s Governor Ademola Adeleke of being tied to the Adeleke political dynasty, and the ADC flag bearer of owing allegiance to former Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
According to him, that arrangement explains why issues of local government autonomy, workers’ welfare, and infrastructure decay have persisted despite change of parties.
“The same way the PDP failed Governor Adeleke, Osun will do the same for him for his re-election bid come August 15, 2026, the serving governor has done his best. It is time to change the current administration. And time for the PRP to take over the reins of governance in Osun State.
“If Governor Adeleke was doing well enough, I would not be contesting against him,” Dr. Saliu added.
The PRP candidate promised to run a government of measurable results, focused on fixing schools, rehabilitating healthcare centres, and ensuring transparency in local government administration. He cited the ongoing LG crisis between APC, PDP, ALGON and the Adeleke government as proof that “politics of godfathers only creates chaos.”
He urged Osun residents to reject what he called “recycled candidates godfatherism” and vote for a leader with no godfather but the people. “When the people are in power, performance is mandatory. When godfathers are in power, excuses are mandatory,” he added.
The 2026 Osun governorship election will feature Ademola Adeleke seeking re-election under Accord, APC’s Bola Oyebamiji, PRP’s Oyelami Saliu, and other parties.
Saliu called on the people of Osun State to support the PRP and vote for him in the August 15 governorship election.
