A former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Benedict Alabi, has formally declared his intention to contest the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the 2026 governorship election.
Naijaonpoint reports that Alabi, who served alongside ex-Governor Adegboyega Oyetola between 2018 and 2022, announced his ambition on Wednesday while addressing journalists in Osogbo.
Speaking at the briefing, Alabi said his years as deputy governor had equipped him with the experience needed to steer the state, describing himself as the best choice among the APC aspirants.
He said, “The next Osun governor must be capable of handling complex situations and managing people and resources effectively to redirect the state towards sustainable progress.”
He therefore urged the APC to consider him for the party’s governorship ticket.
Alabi also reacted to speculation that Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and APC leader in the state, Adegboyega Oyetola, had endorsed Bola Oyebamiji, a former Finance Commissioner.
He dismissed the claim as baseless, stressing that Oyetola had declared he would not interfere in the race.
Alabi added, “The claim that former Governor Oyetola has a preferred candidate and that he anointed Alhaji Bola Oyebamiji is an insinuation. If you listened to him when he declared that he is no longer contesting for governorship in Osun State, he said he wished all aspirants success.
“There is no doubt that Alhaji Bola Oyebamiji is close to the minister, having served as his Commissioner for Finance, but that cannot be taken as an endorsement. It is mere street talk.
“I know that former Governor Oyetola has no preferred candidate. I have been with him and I know he is a man of his words. He has said it clearly that he has no preferred candidate, and I believe him. So the issue does not come into play.”
© 2025 Naijaonpoint, a division of NOP Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]