The race for the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship ticket in Osun State officially kicked off on Monday, with nine aspirants submitting their nomination and expression of interest forms at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
The contest, ahead of the August 8, 2026 election to occupy the Okefia Government House, will see aspirants screened on December 13, 2025.
Notable figures in the race include former Deputy Governor Senator Iyiola Omisore; development financier Babatunde Hareter Oralusi; Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji; former PDP chieftain Bar. Oyedotun Babayemi; immediate past Deputy Governor Olugboyega Benedict Alabi; corporate executive and insurance specialist Dr. Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi; veteran lawyer and governance expert Adegoke Rasheed Okiki Adekunle (SAN); the only female aspirant and former Osun State House of Assembly lawmaker, Dr. (Mrs.) Mulikat Abiola Jimoh; and Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs, Senator Babajide Omoworare,signaling a fiercely competitive primary.
Speaking to journalists after submitting their forms, the aspirants emphasized their commitment to inclusive governance, development, and progress in Osun State.
Ex-Deputy Governor, Olugboyega Alabi, dismissed speculation about any candidate being adopted by the party.
He noted that his bid has the support of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and expressed confidence in a transparent primary that will give all aspirants a fair chance.
Alabi added that he received the support and blessings of his former boss, former governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, before picking the forms.
Decrying the deplorable condition of the state, Alabi accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of failing to prioritise critical sectors in the state, particularly education and health care, describing the alleged neglect as a “glaring lack of commitment to the welfare of Osun citizens.”
“Performance is relative, and the facts on the ground are clear,” Alabi said. “While we see bridges and roads being built, there is hardly any progress in education or health care.
The only female aspirant, Dr. (Mrs.) Mulikat Jimoh, vowed to champion inclusive leadership and transformative policies if elected.
Jimoh who is also a former lawmaker in the Osun State House of Assembly decried the persistent exclusion of women in politics, particularly in the state’s top governance structures.
“If you empower a woman, you empower the nation,” she said, stressing that women have historically been sidelined in politics. “But thanks to my party, APC, which is gender-friendly, that barrier is being reduced. All we need is a chance to demonstrate that women can lead and excel.”
A former university lecturer, outlined her priorities, including education, social welfare, maternal and child health, youth employment, and the provision of essential amenities for communities across Osun State.
“Education is the bedrock of development,” she said, quoting the late sage Obafemi Awolowo: “If you do not train the people around you, those you train will not benefit from the training you give them.”
She urged citizens to support women in leadership, emphasizing the need for collective action to create a future of opportunity, equity, and progress for all.
Asked if she would consider stepping down for other aspirants, Dr. Jimoh was firm: “I am in this election to win. I am not going to step down for anybody.”
Also declaring his intention to contest the 2026 governorship election in the state, the former National Secretary of the Party and ex-Deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, expressed confident that his experience and credentials will give him an edge over other aspirants.
Omisore spoke during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday after submitting his Nomination and Expression of Interest forms at the APC national secretariat, describing himself as a “superior alternative” to the current administration.
He emphasized that his decades-long political and administrative experience positions him as a credible candidate. “Being my experiences to help Osun out of their background… I believe now that experience cannot be bought. The older the one, the more genuine originality you find in the one,” he said.
Omisore also highlighted his track record in governance, recalling his tenure as former Deputy Governor and his time in the Senate, where he chaired the Senate Committee on Appropriation. “There are nine aspirants as of today in the party. By God’s grace, I am going to emerge as the candidate of the party. Based on the criteria of my credentials, my credentials will beat others at every level,” he added.
He did not shy away from critiquing the current state leadership, calling the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke a “dancing government” that lacks focus and proper governance. “Governance is more a self-business than dancing… It shows the littleness of the mind and the emptiness of the brain,” he said.
Omisore also warned against poor leadership decisions, referring to appointments he considers unsuitable. “If I’m a governor, I can’t appoint the governor as the commissioner of my state for information. That’s how bad it can be,” he said.
During a question-and-answer session, Omisore addressed concerns about party consensus, zoning, and intra-party dynamics, stressing that the APC primary process will determine the party’s candidate. He criticized what he called “lazy politicians” who try to corner opportunities through zoning or sectional interests. “Every state, every zone in my state has a state of governorship… We want the best for governance,” he said.
On fiscal policy, Omisore promised prudent management of state resources rather than excessive taxation. “Whatever you have, how do you use it to the best of the state? That’s most important. Every government must have that in mind,” he said.
He also addressed the issue of traditional rulership in the state, pledging to respect established procedures and allow communities to choose their leaders freely. “I won’t have any preferred candidates. That will cause us trouble. The kings will rule the people, not the state,” he said.
Omisore concluded by urging the media to support his campaign journey. “We are just starting, but I’m sure that if we work together, it will be easier for all of us to do,” he said.
Declaring himself as the aspirant to beat” former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji described Senator Iyiola Omisore as a respected elder and emphasized that the primary election was a friendly contest among 14 credible aspirants. He stressed that all contestants were brothers working toward the same goal and assured that whoever the party elders eventually choose would receive the full support of all aspirants.
Addressing concerns over alleged disunity within the Osun APC, Oyebamiji insisted that unity remained the party’s guiding principle. He noted that the party had not lost a single member in the past two years, while millions from other parties had continued to join APC. He added that after the primaries, all aspirants would work collectively to achieve the best outcome for the people of Osun State.
Oyebamiji also dismissed claims of backing from political godfathers. He said nobody was supporting him except the APC members and the people of Osun. “With modesty, I am the aspirant to beat,” he said, explaining that his strength comes from the grassroots, not from political camps or influential individuals.
On why he resigned his previous appointments, Oyebamiji recounted his career in both the private and public sectors. He spent 28 years in the banking industry before serving as Managing Director of the Osun State Investment Company, Commissioner for Finance in Osun State, and Managing Director of NIWA, where he said his two-year tenure was record-breaking. He resigned these positions to fully commit to serving Osun State.
Highlighting his unique selling point, Oyebamiji pointed to his 12 years of top-level government experience in Osun State and his close working relationship with two credible and disciplined governors. He said his familiarity with government processes, administrative experience, and excellent track record in both the public and private sectors distinguished him from other aspirants.
On his part,Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Adegoke Adekunle, declared his ambition to govern Osun State, promising a transformative approach to agriculture, tourism, and economic development.
Adekunle, a seasoned political counsel, outlined strategies to revitalize the state’s economy.
“It is imperative that we must look at the economic situation of our people and see how we are going to better their lives,” Adekunle said, emphasizing his commitment to creating sustainable economic growth.
He highlighted agriculture as a priority, revealing plans to harness the state’s vast uncultivated lands. “When investors come and they have access to free land, because there is land everywhere… we will now do a Ministry of Justice tripartite agreement between investors, government, and landowners,” he said.
Adekunle also promised to boost food production and security. “Within a period of six months, one year, you will discover that Oshun is going to be the food basket of Nigeria,” he said, stressing plans to modernize farming and establish food processing facilities.
On the state’s rich palm oil resources, he stated: “There is more money in palm oil than in petroleum… Majority of the palm trees you see are no longer productive. We are going to modernize palm production in Oshun.”
Tourism and market development were also key priorities. “Tourism is like a car. Until you learn how to drive it, you cannot enjoy it… Our 64 tourist sites will be revitalized to create jobs and revenue,” Adekunle added. He outlined plans to create markets both locally and internationally, ensuring that Oshun’s agricultural produce reaches profitable markets.
Adekunle, who has represented his party in over 100 legal cases since 2005, insisted that his years of preparation and research uniquely position him to deliver transformative results. “I have taken 14 years to prepare, to study, how I am going to do it… and I know it down to the details,” he said.
With these strategies, Adekunle aims to attract investors, generate wealth for families, and position Oshun as a hub of agriculture, industry, and tourism in Nigeria.
