By Jeleel Olawale
Former Deputy Governor of Osun State and ex-National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Iyiola Omisore, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2026 governorship election, saying he is acting on the collective demand of the people of Ife.
Addressing supporters and party stakeholders at a gathering held at his residence in Ile-Ife on Tuesday, Omisore explained that his decision to enter the race under the APC banner came after broad consultations and growing calls from his community to represent their interests at the state level.
“Ife has the largest voting strength in the constituency. After consulting widely, our people have spoken today, they want me to contest. This is not just my decision; it’s a collective one,” he said.
He added, “The people of Ife have been yearning for this moment. They believe it is our turn to produce the next governor of Osun State.”
Omisore underscored the value of grassroots engagement, noting that his choice to begin the declaration in his hometown was a deliberate move to acknowledge the support base that has consistently backed his political journey.
Speaking on the current political climate in the state, he said the APC remains stable and is gaining momentum. He cited the defection of several members from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC as evidence of shifting allegiances.
“The APC in Osun is intact and united. Many PDP members are joining our ranks. We are fully prepared for the 2026 polls,” he said.
He also claimed that the APC’s popularity was becoming increasingly difficult for the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke to ignore.
“APC is now the party to beat in Osun. Even Governor Adeleke is reportedly struggling to align with us due to the overwhelming popularity of the APC,” Omisore added.
