The Chairman, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Akin Ogunbiyi, has formally announced his intention to contest the 2026 governorship election in Osun State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
Ogunbiyi declared his intention on Saturday in his hometown, Ileogbo, Osun State, in the presence of the members of the All Progressives Congress in Iwo Federal Constituency.
The insurance guru, who said he decided to join the race for APC governorship ticket after consultation with his constituents, added that the Iwo Federal Constituency deserved to produce the next Osun governor, having been marginalised since the creation of the state.
He said, “I am here to declare my intention to run for the post of the governor of this state. If you look at history, you will know that Iwo has been marginalised and we have been in the progressives for all these years without faltering.
“Now that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, is no longer contesting, we think it is correct for Iwo Federal Constituency to contest this election.
“Iwo Federal Constituency, in particular Iwo township is fully behind Akin Ogunbiyi. It is only when I got that consensus that I came out.”
When asked for the implications of many aspirants showing interest in contesting for APC ticket, Ogunbiyi said the development would not create chaos in the party, noting that the leadership of the party would eventually decide the candidate.
He said, “We can have as many as possible aspirants; it doesn’t matter at this point in time. What matters is that at the appropriate time, the leadership will decide whether we will go for primary or otherwise but it can’t tear the party apart.
“If truly all the aspirants are committed to the party and we have the single aspiration for APC to take over the leadership of Osun State, that won’t tear the party apart.
“If you look at my pedigree, you will know I have what it takes to rule Osun.
“This is not the first time I am coming out, I’ve attempted twice, and it’s because I have the conviction that I have all that it takes to rule Osun, and by the grace of God, we will rule Osun to the satisfaction of all the people.”
Apart from Ogunbiyi that has shown interest in APC ticket, Dotun Babayemi and the Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji, are among those that have informed APC leadership in the state of their desire to contest for the party’s ticket.
The Punch
