Osun 2026: Time for a new way

Osun State is “on the march again.” Come 2026, its citizens will once more decide who governs them. They will have the option of choosing between the incumbent, Senator Ademola Adeleke, or bringing in a new man to pilot the affairs of the State. It will not be an easy choice.

Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999 after the blighted years of Military Rule, Osun has had five governors. Chief Bisi Akande (1999–2003) was succeeded by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (2003–2010) who lost his seat to Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2010-2018) after prolonged court battles. It was the turn of Chief Gboyega Oyetola in 2018, who then handed the baton to the current Governor, Senator Adeleke, in 2022. That is an average of five years each.

A couple of facts jump out from this history. First, the people of Osun State do not shy away from voting out incumbents. Of the four that have been Governors before Adeleke, only Rauf Aregbesola was re-elected to serve two terms. Others found themselves in the wilderness after four years of perceived poor performance. Second, Osun voters are not welded to any political party. Of the five Governors, two have been produced by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); while the All Progressive Party (APC), in its present and previous incarnations, has produced 3. Few States in Nigeria can boast of such a consistent record of keeping both Governors and Parties on their toes.

Another important point to note is that all five governors since 1999 have essentially been career politicians, most with little or no experience outside the corridors of power. This has meant that successive administrations were driven more by the politics of survival and party loyalty than by technocratic vision or long-term planning. As a result, the state has remained trapped in a cycle of underdevelopment, with policies shaped for short-term electoral gain rather than enduring socio-economic transformation. The absence of leaders with strong technocratic backgrounds and fresh, non-partisan perspectives has stifled innovation in critical areas such as industrialization, education, and fiscal sustainability. This dominance of traditional politicians has denied Osun the transformative governance needed to fully harness its cultural heritage, human capital, and strategic location for accelerated growth.

It is in the light of the above that the candidacy of Engr. Dideolu Falobi deserves attention. As Managing Director of Kresta Laurel Ltd, one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous engineering firms, and a Fellow of both the Institute of Directors and the Nigeria Society of Engineers, he

represents a refreshing break from the past. His candidacy embodies the promise of a fresh start, one defined not by endless years of politicking, but by proven excellence in the private sector and a track record of tangible community development.

An Electrical and Electronics graduate of the University of Lagos, he took over the leadership of Kresta Laurel in 2005. His stewardship of the firm has seen it become the leading provider of electromechanical products and services in the country. In an industry where safety and standards are critical, he has led the company to become the first in the electromechanical industry in Nigeria, to obtain multiple ISO Certifications – the gold standard in quality, safety and management. This speaks to his high regard for quality and top-notch standards, qualities that are in dire need in Osun State.

Outside of his professional pursuits, he has built a robust profile in public-spirited endeavours. This was evident when he served as the President of the Alumni Association of the University of Lagos Faculty of Engineering. In this capacity, he mobilised former students of the Faculty to donate valuable equipment, renovate dilapidating infrastructure and support indigent students. He displayed the same purposeful and visionary leadership when he led the Methodist High School Ilesha Old Students Association.

On the advocacy side, he has also been very active through the Think Tank on Nigeria (TTON), which he convened in 2021. With over 300 technocrats drawn from home and abroad, TTON has put together multiple policy and programmatic solutions that, well implemented, could significantly set Nigeria on the path of development and greatness. Osun State will hugely benefit from the implementation of TTON’s ideas.

His professional success is also matched by his cultural pedigree. As the Bobajiro of Ilesha and a member of the Owa-in-Council of Ijeshaland, he embodies the blend of modern technocratic thinking and deep traditional legitimacy that few can claim. This combination positions him to inspire both the youth yearning for a different kind of politics, and elders who seek stability and cultural continuity.

Osun State now stands at a defining moment. After a quarter of a century of recycled politics, the time has come for a leader who is not burdened by old loyalties or limited by narrow calculations of political survival. Engr. Dideolu Falobi offers that alternative – a technocrat with proven private sector excellence, a builder with deep community roots, and a patriot ready to bring fresh vision into governance.

At a time when Osun needs bold ideas in industrialization, infrastructure renewal, education, and youth employment, Falobi’s candidacy offers a pathway toward practical, evidence-based governance. His experience in managing complex engineering projects and leading diverse teams ensures that he understands not just the language of policy, but the discipline of execution. He represents a leadership that can reposition Osun to harness its human and cultural capital for economic growth, rather than remaining trapped in cycles of unkept promises.

Engr. Dideolu Falobi’s entry into the race is therefore a chance to reset the state’s political culture. By rallying behind him, Osun can take a decisive step away from recycled politics and embrace a new generation of leaders who are untainted, visionary, and capable of delivering real development. His candidacy stands as a call to action for all who believe that Osun’s future must be different from its past. With him, the State of the Living Spring can chart a new way forward.

Adetayo, an indigene of Osun State, writes from Lagos.