From Lateef Dada, Osogbo

across the 332 wards in Osun State have declared Dotun Babayemi as the most accepted among the governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The youths appealed to APC leaders and decision makers within and outside the state to be careful not to field an individual whose candidature would bring defeat and shame to the party at the polls.

Arising from a meeting held in Osogbo yesterday, the youths in a statement by their Coordinator, Wasiu Oketayo, endorsed the candidature of Babayemi, whom they described as the best among those aspiring for the party’s governorship ticket.

“We are APC youths across the 332 wards in Osun State and we are also here to state categorically that Omooba Dotun Babayemi remains our standout choice among the aspirants vying for the ticket of the All Progressives Congress in the forthcoming governorship election in the state,” they stated.

According to them, they arrived at the conclusion that the Gbongan-born prince was the one that could win the election after they had carried out a thorough evaluation process on the capabilities and potentials of the aspirants, noting that Babayemi possessed the requisite qualities to effectively lead the state and its people.

“Babayemi’s widespread popularity and appeal, both at the grassroots and across party lines, are the key factors that set him apart. We, therefore, call on our party leaders to be wary of fielding a candidate that might be an albatross to the victory of the party in the August 8, 2026 polls,” they warned.

The youths maintained that his emergence as the APC governorship candidate would make the victory of the party easy, explaining, “We believe in somebody who will add to members of the party, a candidate who will attract people from other political parties, Babayemi has this great advantage and he should be allowed to utilize it. We need a competent candidate. The party should be diligent. The most qualified is Babayemi, he is well loved by APC members in the state.”

Aside from his grassroots appeal, which they said cuts across the state, the youths added that his unblemished and scandal-free record was an added advantage. They said: “As a foremost youth group, we believe the candidature of Babayemi will represent various interests that cut across all divides. His choice will create a centripetal force that will ultimately decimate the ruling party in the state.

“The youth, who promised to give their all for his emergence, insisted that the state needs someone like him to change the face of the state for the better, pointing out that, “Osun State at this critical time, needs a leader who can mend fences, calm frayed nerves and bring all progressives together as one force to deliver a resounding victory for our party. We, hereby, commit ourselves to his governorship ambition and will activate all our structures to do the needful,” the youth said.