Osun Politics in Hibernation: The Calm Before 2026

 

5 Factors That Put Osun Political System on Hibernation

Osun politics, once famous for its fiery debates and restless activism, now feels like a field gone quiet. The banners are folded, the drums are silent, and the usual sparks of ideological competition have dimmed into strategic whispers. Yet, beneath this calm lies a system in slow, calculated slumber, preparing for another awakening in 2026.

Here are five factors behind this political hibernation:

1. Ideological Decay

The politics of conviction has given way to the politics of convenience. Parties no longer represent ideas or vision but personalities, leaving citizens uninspired and detached. What used to be a contest of ideas has become a struggle for access and survival.

2. Economic Fatigue

A biting economy has drained the enthusiasm of many potential reformers. Political participation now often depends on who can afford it. When hunger meets politics, activism fades, and principles give way to pragmatism.

3. Fragmented Opposition

Both the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are internally divided. Rather than mounting ideological challenges, factions within each camp focus on self-preservation and reconciliation. The result is a muted and directionless opposition landscape.

4. Civil Society Silence

Once-vibrant unions, students’ bodies, and advocacy groups that shaped political narratives in Osun have gone cold. Many have been co-opted, while others have succumbed to fatigue or fear. The watchdogs have gone to sleep, leaving governance unchallenged and citizens uninformed.

5. Governor Adeleke’s Tactical Calm

Governor Ademola Adeleke has adopted a subtle but effective style of governance, balancing populism with strategic quietude. His administration blends entertainment with political consolidation, keeping the masses engaged while neutralizing opposition. It’s governance with rhythm, but also restraint.

Osun politics isn’t dead, it’s in strategic hibernation. This silence is not absence; it’s anticipation. When 2026 arrives, the old drums will beat again, alliances will shift, and the stage will reopen. But one question will define the future:

Will Osun rise into a new era of ideological politics, or repeat the same old dance of loyalty and power?

Abioye Tosin Lawrence is the publisher of Oriontimes Online Newspaper and author of Voices From The Fire: My journey through a hollow empire