In an era where performance should trump populism and character should override charisma, Osun State finds itself at a crossroads.
The state, blessed with vibrant human capital, natural resources, and a deep historical legacy, continues to struggle under the weight of misaligned priorities, governance inconsistency, and underutilized potential.
Yet, among the few who have risen above mere rhetoric to offer real substance is a man who symbolizes discipline, legal brilliance, and ideological clarity: Kunle Rasheed Adegoke, SAN, affectionately and famously known as K-Rad.
It is not for nothing that his admirers call him “Kunle Radical.” That name, born in the furnace of student activism and ideological engagement, has matured into an emblem of principled resistance to the status quo and a commitment to transformative change.
For Osun State, long in need of technocratic leadership with ethical depth, K-Rad presents a timely answer.
Born in Osogbo on September 5, 1969, Kunle Adegoke’s early life was shaped by struggle, study, and service. From his days at the University of Ilorin and the University of Lagos where he defied authoritarianism in academia at great personal cost to becoming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2020, K-Rad has walked a path marked by resilience, intellect, and a commitment to justice.
His legal journey has not been ornamental. He cut his teeth in top-tier chambers such as Olaniwun Ajayi LLP and M.A. Banire & Associates before founding Kunle Adegoke & Co., a firm that has handled some of the most consequential election petition litigations across Nigeria.
From Atiku v. Buhari to landmark gubernatorial disputes, K-Rad has not just argued cases; he has helped shape the jurisprudence around democracy and electoral justice.
What separates K-Rad from the typical “politician” is his ideas-based approach to governance.
He has not built his public image on inflated promises or empty sloganeering. Instead, he speaks of economic revitalization, public-private synergy, educational reform, infrastructure renewal, and tourism development.
His roadmap isn’t mere aspiration; it is a structured, data-backed development plan rooted in fiscal realism and institutional integrity.
K-Rad’s professional acumen has seen him advise state governments on major bond issuance programmes like the ₦100 billion Lagos Bond, Osun State’s Sukuk, and others. These are projects requiring technical expertise and financial discipline. These credentials are not hypothetical; they are demonstrable.
Osun has had its share of charismatic leaders. But what it desperately needs now is a manager, a reformer, and a planner.
With his pedigree in law, economics, and governance strategy, K-Rad embodies the fusion of technical knowledge and moral uprightness, a rarity in today’s political landscape.
At a time when governance is more about performance metrics than populist slogans, the state cannot afford another experiment in trial-and-error leadership. K-Rad’s meticulousness and clarity of purpose are reminiscent of the types of leaders who have transformed formerly stagnant territories into thriving economies.
In declaring his intention to contest the 2026 gubernatorial election under the All Progressives Congress (APC), K-Rad has once again submitted himself to public scrutiny, not for personal aggrandizement, but in the conviction that Osun deserves better leadership than it has had in recent years.
His candidacy is not just a political offering; it is a call to citizens of conscience to rally around competence, vision, and integrity.
We must ask ourselves: do we want to continue being governed by those who see public service as reward, or those who see it as responsibility? Do we want leaders who are made by godfathers, or those who are made by grit and grounded in governance?
As a technocrat and an indigene of Osun State who has watched from within and afar the disillusionment that has gripped our civil service, our infrastructure, our education, and our youths,
We are persuaded that Kunle ‘K-Rad’ Adegoke SAN is not just a choice for Osun State in 2026;§he is the right choice.
This is not an endorsement of party but of principle. Not a vote for ambition but for capacity. It is time Osun rose beyond politics of stomach infrastructure and embraced visionary governance.
Kunle ‘K-Rad’ Adegoke represents that possibility. And if given the mandate, he just might turn that possibility into our reality.
Adesina Quadri Ademola is a correspondent of News Bulletin Nigeria
