APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru Withdraws from Osun 2026 Governorship Race
Senator Ajibola Basiru, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has officially withdrawn from the party’s race for the 2026 governorship election in Osun State. His announcement came on Saturday in Osogbo, the state capital, during the inauguration of Alubarika House, the secretariat for his political movement.
Basiru, who had consulted extensively with party leaders at ward and local government levels regarding his governorship ambitions, said he took the decision after careful consideration of his current responsibilities and discussions with stakeholders, including the party leadership.
“Considering the enormous responsibilities of my current office as National Secretary of our great party, and after due consultations with our esteemed leaders and stakeholders, particularly the Leader of our party and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it has become necessary to emphatically state that I shall not be contesting the 2026 Osun State governorship election,” Basiru declared to a large crowd of party members gathered in Alekuwodo.
He emphasized that stepping down from the race “does not signify a withdrawal from our shared progressive visions in any way.” Instead, he described it as “a renewed pledge to deepen my commitment to continue working with our leaders and all members of the Alubarika Movement and the APC in Osun State and Nigeria to nurture and support emerging political leaders who will renew the hopes of the good people of Nigeria in alignment with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
During the event, Basiru also spoke on the newly inaugurated Alubarika House, describing it as a hub for meetings, empowerment programs, and political engagement. He announced a donation of N50 million as a take-off grant to fund planned initiatives for the movement.
With Basiru’s withdrawal, about 13 aspirants remain in the race for the APC governorship ticket. Notable contenders include former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji; former Senate Committee chairman on Rules and Business, Babajide Omoworare; former Deputy Governor, Iyiola Omisore; and lawyer Dotun Babayemi, son of the immediate past Olufi of Gbongan. Other candidates are former Osun Deputy Governor Benedict Alabi, Mutual Assurance Benefits Chairman Akin Ogunbiyi, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kunle Adegoke.
Basiru’s exit is seen as a strategic move to focus on strengthening party structures and mentoring emerging leaders within Osun State and across Nigeria, while maintaining alignment with the APC’s national vision.
