By Olusegun Ogunkayode
As Osun State prepares toward the 2026 governorship election, a new fault line has quietly emerged in the political landscape, one rooted not in party loyalty or regional affiliation, but in faith. Beneath the chants of campaign slogans and the rhetoric of development, a subtle yet powerful contest is brewing; the Christian community’s growing demand to produce the next governor of the state.
For decades, Osun’s politics has being between major parties and personalities, yet religion has often remained a silent determinant, acknowledged, but rarely articulated in public discourse. Today, however, that silence is breaking. Christian groups, church leaders, and socio-religious coalitions are openly mobilizing, arguing that fairness and balance in leadership demand that the next occupant of the Bola Ige House should be a Christian.
The Religious Demographics and Historical Context:-Osun, carved out of the old Oyo State in 1991, is one of Nigeria’s most religiously diverse states, with Christians, Muslims and the traditional almost evenly distributed across its 30 local government areas. Yet, since its creation, power distribution has been perceived by many in the Christian and traditional communities as skewed.
Under the democratically elected government, from the tenure of late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, to Chief Bisi Akande, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Rauf Aregbesola and Adegboyega Oyetola the pendulum of power has largely favored Muslim politicians. The current governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, also a Muslim, extends that trend, making it nearly 24 out of 33 years of Osun’s statehood under Muslim leadership.
This arithmetic has sparked calls for change. “We are not asking for privilege; we are asking for parity,” said a cleric who spoke under anonymity during a recent interdenominational meeting in Osogbo. “The Christian population in Osun is vibrant and politically aware. 2026 should be the year a Christian becomes governor.”
A Political Balancing Act:-Behind the religious agitation lies a more complex political reality. Both the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC) are acutely aware of the delicate balance they must maintain. In a state where religion often intersects with family, community, and politics, no party can afford to alienate either bloc.
For the PDP, Governor Adeleke’s reelection bid or succession plan, if he bows out, will depend on how the party manages the religious sentiment. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Osun has begun quiet consultations with political leaders, insisting that Christians have been long marginalized in the state’s top political equation.
The APC faces similar tension. Many within the party’s Christian caucus argue that the time has come for deliberate inclusion, pointing to the influence of Christian-majority communities in Ilesa, Ife, Iwo, and parts of Osogbo. Yet, balancing that demand against the party’s dominant Muslim base poses a strategic dilemma.
Voices from the Faith Frontlines:-Church leaders have not hidden their frustrations. Bishop David Ajibade of the Osun Diocese recently noted, “We have prayed, voted, and participated, yet the pattern of exclusion persists. This is not about dividing Osun; it’s about reflecting her true diversity.”
Muslim groups, on the other hand, caution against politicizing faith. The League of Imams and Alfas in Osun recently released a statement warning that “religion should not become the currency of political negotiation,” imploring both sides to focus on competence and integrity rather than religious identity.
Nevertheless, even amongst moderate voices, there is a recognition that the religious sentiment cannot be dismissed. The emotional undercurrent of representation of seeing one’s faith mirrored in governance remains a potent factor in Nigerian politics.
The Role of Traditional and Regional Politics:-Beyond faith, Osun’s political map is deeply influenced by zoning and traditional loyalties. The Central Senatorial District, which includes Osogbo and Ila, is expected to play a decisive role in 2026. If the PDP or APC decides to zone the ticket to this area, religious agitation may become a determining and crucial factor in candidate selection.
Political analysts argue that religion alone cannot win elections in Osun, but it can influence them. “In Osun, religion is the whisper that moves the crowd,” says political analyst Dr. Olabisi Adebayo. “When people feel excluded, they mobilize, not just as voters, but as a moral force.”
Beyond Religion; A Test of Inclusion and Maturity:-The 2026 governorship election may therefore serve as a litmus test for Osun’s political maturity. Will faith dictate the next leadership decision, or will competence and inclusivity prevail? Can the state’s parties find a middle ground that honors both representation and meritocracy?
For now, the political battle lines are drawn, not on the streets, but in the sanctuaries and mosques, in local political caucuses, and in the hearts of voters seeking both divine favour and democratic justice.
As Osun prepares for another election season, the slogan “Battle for the Soul of Osun” may be more than a metaphor. It encapsulates a deeper struggle, for balance, belonging, and the belief that every faith has a place at the table of power.
If handled with wisdom, Osun may emerge as a model for inter-faith equity in politics. If not, it risks deepening old divides that run beneath its calm political surface. Either side of the divide, 2026 will not only decide who governs Osun, it will test what Osun truly stands for as a state of “Omoluabi.”
