The former deputy governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has officially declared his intention to contest the 2026 governorship election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Omisore announced this on Saturday through a post on his official X handle, stating that his formal declaration will take place next Tuesday at the APC State Secretariat in Ogo-Oluwa, Osogbo, at 10 a.m.
The event, themed ‘Fix the Broken, Restore Our Dreams,’ will formally kick off what he described as the Osun Rescue Mission 2026.
He explained that his decision to join the race came after “deep reflection and wide consultations” with stakeholders across the state, adding that his vision is to restore confidence in governance and deliver a better future for the people.
“My beloved people of Osun State, after deep reflection and wide consultations, I have decided to formally declare my intention to contest for the Governor of Osun State in 2026 under our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC),” Omisore wrote.
“This is not just my mission; it is a collective one. I humbly invite you to join me as we take this bold step towards the Osun Rescue Mission 2026.”
The former senator said his campaign will focus on rebuilding the state’s economy, strengthening public institutions, and restoring hope among citizens. He noted that Osun needs experienced leadership to reposition it for inclusive growth.
Omisore’s declaration follows months of speculation about his political ambition and growing activities within the APC in Osun.
In August 2025, he publicly reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the APC’s victory in the upcoming governorship election, hinting at consultations with party members and traditional leaders across the state.
He also recently commented on political developments involving Governor Ademola Adeleke, saying that leadership in the state must be guided by principles, not defection or opportunism.
His increasing visibility at party events and grassroots mobilisations had further fuelled talks of his intention to run.
Omisore is a familiar face in Osun politics. He served as deputy governor between 1999 and 2003 under the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and later represented Osun East Senatorial District from 2003 to 2011, where he chaired the Senate Appropriations Committee.
He first contested the 2014 Osun governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but lost to then-incumbent governor Rauf Aregbesola. In 2018, he ran again under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) before formally joining the APC in 2021, where he rose to become the National Secretary during the party’s national convention in Abuja.
