By Lanre Oloyede
Former Deputy Governor of Osun State and ex- National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Iyiola Omisore, headlines list of eight other aspirants who are in the race for the Osun 2026 governorship election, to submit their nomination and expression of interest forms ahead of the party’s Primary election in December 13.
Omisore, a longstanding figure in Nigeria’s political and business circles, described his mission as a return to responsible governance anchored on experience, stability and development. He submitted his expression of interest and nomination forms, noting that Friday marked the final day set by the party for such submissions.
He told journalists that his decision to re contest was driven by conviction, capacity and a sense of duty. According to him, no aspirant matches his depth of experience, pedigree and governance exposure, insisting that the state requires a leader who brings maturity and competence at a time of what he described as drift.
“Running for governorship comes with responsibility. My pedigree and experience are not things you can manufacture overnight. I’m offering Osun a superior alternative in 2026,” he said.
The APC chieftain took aim at Governor Ademola Adeleke, deriding his administration’s style and describing the state as suffering from what he called “dancing governance,” a phrase he used repeatedly to contrast his own leadership outlook with that of the current administration.
Also at the National Secretarariat of APC to submit his forms was another former Deputy Governor of the state, Benedict Alabi, who unveiled a sweeping agenda anchored on unity, inclusion, economic empowerment and people-centred governance.
Addressing party leaders and supporters, Alabi said his decision to join the race was driven not by personal ambition but by an unwavering commitment to the progress of the state and the welfare of its citizens. He paid tribute to national party leaders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC stalwart Chief Bisi Akande, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and the party’s National Chairman, Professor Goshwe Yilwatda, acknowledging what he described as their steady guidance and leadership.
Alabi said he came forward with humility and a sense of responsibility, declaring that leadership, to him, is an act of service rooted in compassion and integrity. He insisted that public office must be pursued with a heart that listens, understands and responds to the struggles of the people.
He outlined his aspiration as a “sacred covenant” with the people of Osun, built on deploying his experience in both public and private sectors to build a state that works for everyone. His address emphasized three core propositions: unifying the state, expanding opportunities for all, and entrenching servant leadership.
Other aspirants who submitted their nomination and expression of interest forms on Monday are business magnate and insurance expert, Dr Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi, legal icon, Adegoke Rasheed Okiki Adekunle (SAN), the only female aspirant and former lawmaker in Osun State House of Assembly, Dr. (Mrs.) Mulikat Abiola Jimoh and the vice-chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental, development financier, Babatunde Hareter Oralusi, the Managing Director the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Bar. Oyedotun Babayemi.
