- Safiu Kehinde
The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, has pulled out of the forthcoming 2026 Osun Governorship Election.
Basiru who had been heavily tipped as one of the top contenders for the APC governorship ticket announced his withdrawal from the race in a statement issued on Saturday.
In the statement addressed to his support group, the Alubarika Movement, the APC National Secretary cited the need to work for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 General Election as reason for his withdrawal.
Reflecting on the movement’s effort in reclaiming Osun state back to the APC, Basiru harped on the need to prioritise national assignment over personal ambition.
This, according to him, does not signify a withdrawal from the movement’s shared progressive visions.
Basiru expressed his gratitude to the leaders and members of the Alubarika movement while reaffirming the group’s commitment to meaningful contributions to the growth and success of the APC across Nigeria, particularly to Tinubu’s re-election.
The statement read; “Since the outcomes of the 2022 gubernatorial and the 2023 National and State Assembly elections, it has remained the unshakable resolve of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State to reclaim our mandate democratically from the PDP-led maladministration, and reposition our dear State on the path of peace, progress, and sustainable development it is currently yearning for.
“This determination informed our collective journey under the banner of the Alubarika Movement, a grassroots political machinery with a shared vision, service, and an abiding commitment to our great party, the people of Osun State, and the administration of our leader and President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).
“Together, under the Alubarika Movement, we built a strong, progressive platform anchored on political inclusion and purposeful leadership.
“The Movement has, over the years, served as a rallying point for like-minded patriots committed to advancing the principles of good governance, accountability, and service to the people of Osun.
“As a result of our commitment and hard work towards our shared goals, we have become a formidable force in constructively critiquing the policies of the PDP-led administration and raising awareness of the PDP administration’s ineptitude among the good people of Osun.
“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.
“The demands of national assignment, particularly the imperative of strengthening our party structures and the responsibilities of preparing for the 2027 general elections, require my unwavering commitment to the unity, success and stability of our party at all levels.
“This decision, however, does not signify a withdrawal from our shared progressive visions in any way.
“On the contrary, it is following the giant strides we have collectively achieved, 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 in the APC who will renew the hopes of the good people of Nigeria in alignment with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“In this regard, the Alubarika Movement will work with all vigor to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections and in the coming months programs and activities towards that direction will be organized under the auspices of Alubarika Movement.
“I would like to sincerely thank the leaders and members of the Alubarika Movement across Osun State and Nigeria for your unwavering support, encouragement and prayers. I remain deeply grateful for your confidence in my leadership and your steadfast faith in our collective mission.
“Let us, therefore, sustain the Alubarika vision of unity, discipline, and progressive engagement. Together, we shall continue to make meaningful contributions to the growth and success of the APC across Nigeria, and particularly the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) in 2027.”