Mulikat Abiola, a former legislator representing Ifelodun State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, has officially entered the race for the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship ticket ahead of the August 8, 2026 election.
The APC has scheduled its governorship primary for December 13, with at least seven aspirants having already purchased nomination forms.
Among those in the contest are former APC National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, former Deputy Governor Benedict Alabi, immediate past Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority Bola Oyebamiji, and Lagos-based engineer Dideolu Falobi.
Abiola, who served in the Osun Assembly between 2018 and 2023, is currently the only female aspirant to have obtained the party’s nomination form.
Speaking to journalists in Osogbo on Thursday shortly after acquiring the form, Abiola stated that her decision to contest stems from the persistent marginalisation of women in Nigerian politics.
She stressed the importance of raising political awareness among women and increasing their participation in leadership positions.
She said, “I have obtained the APC governorship nomination form to demonstrate my readiness to contest the forthcoming election. Osun belongs to all of us; it is not the preserve of a few. This is the time for a female governor to lead our state. Women deserve their rightful place in governance, and I am determined to make that happen.”
Abiola emphasised her commitment to restoring political representation for women and empowering citizens, noting that she is undeterred by the prior announcements of other aspirants.
“All I know is that I am confident in my ability to win both the party primary and the governorship election in August 2026,” she added.