The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has formally withdrawn from the race for the party’s governorship ticket ahead of the 2026 Osun State election.

Basiru made the announcement on Saturday in Osogbo during the inauguration of Alubarika House, the new secretariat of his political movement. His decision comes less than three weeks before the APC governorship primary scheduled for December 13.

The former Senate spokesperson explained that the withdrawal follows extensive consultations with party leaders and stakeholders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “Considering the enormous responsibilities of my current office as National Secretary of our great party, it has become necessary to emphatically state that I shall not be contesting the 2026 Osun State governorship election,” he said.

Basiru stressed that his decision should not be seen as stepping back from the party’s progressive goals. Instead, he described it as “a renewed pledge to deepen my commitment to work with our leaders and all members of the Alubarika Movement and the APC to nurture and support emerging political leaders aligned with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Tinubu.”

The newly inaugurated Alubarika House will serve as the movement’s operational base and a hub for empowerment initiatives. Basiru also announced a donation of N50 million as a take-off fund for upcoming programmes.

With Basiru out, about 13 aspirants remain in contention for the APC ticket. They include former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji; former Senate Committee Chairman on Rules and Business, Senator Babajide Omoworare; former Deputy Governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore; and legal practitioner Dotun Babayemi, son of the immediate past Olufi of Gbongan.

Other contenders are former Deputy Governor Benedict Alabi, Mutual Benefits Assurance chairman Akin Ogunbiyi, and senior advocate Kunle Adegoke (SAN).