Former Senator Mudashiru Hussein on Tuesday declared his intention to contest the 2026 Osun governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), boasting that he has the political strength and experience to defeat Governor Ademola Adeleke at the polls.
The declaration, which took place at the APC State Secretariat in Osogbo, drew thousands of party members and supporters from across the state.
Hussein, who is among 13 aspirants seeking the party’s ticket, told party executives that his long service in government made him stand out as the most experienced of the contenders.
THE WHISTLER reports that this latest move follows a May 2025 announcement in which Hussein first signalled his ambition through a statement by his campaign media head, Victor Ojelabi.
At the time, he recalled defeating the late Isiaka Adeleke in the 2011 Osun West senatorial election but later conceding his ticket to him in 2014 at the APC’s request- a sacrifice he argued eventually paved the way for Ademola Adeleke’s political rise in the PDP.
Reinforcing that history on Tuesday, Hussein declared, “I am the most experienced aspirant among the contenders in APC. We are all qualified but I have served in more public offices compared to the others.
“I have served as a lawmaker, House of Representatives in Lagos State for eight years, Senator in Osun State for four years, Acting Secretary to the State Government, and as Federal Commissioner for the National Population Commission.
“I am from Ejigbo which is a big community in Osun West, the present Governor is from Ede. I have defeated his elder brother in the past and I can do it again if I am given the chance to flag the ticket of APC in 2026.”
While stressing his confidence, Hussein also assured party leaders of his loyalty, promising to work for the APC regardless of the outcome of the primaries.
“The party’s interest supersedes my ambition,” he said.
In his response, Osun APC chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, praised Hussein’s entry into the race, noting that the increasing number of aspirants reflected the party’s renewed strength.
“It is very rare for an opposition party to be getting stronger and united every day. It is even more interesting and shows that God is on our side. People are still willing to enthrone good governance in the state again,” Lawal said.
He, however, cautioned executives against aligning with any aspirant ahead of the primaries, stressing that neutrality was vital for building trust.
“When the time comes, you will all see that we are neutral and you can trust our judgment,” he added.
The Osun governorship election is scheduled for August 2026.
