Mulikat Abiola APC governorship race intensifies as the ex-lawmaker joins the contest as the only female aspirant for the 2026 Osun ticket

The Mulikat Abiola APC governorship race bid gathered momentum on Thursday as the former Osun State lawmaker formally entered the contest for the All Progressives Congress ticket ahead of the August 8, 2026 governorship election.

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Her entry brings the number of aspirants to seven, with the party’s primary scheduled for December 13.

Among those already in the race are the former APC National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, a former Deputy Governor, Benedict Alabi, the immediate past Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji, and Lagos-based engineer, Dideolu Falobi.

Abiola, who represented Ifelodun State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly between 2018 and 2023, is the only female aspirant to have purchased the party’s nomination form.

She said in Osogbo that her decision was driven by the persistent marginalisation of women in politics and the need for stronger female representation.

She explained that women had long been relegated to the background in the political space, insisting that it was time for them to take their rightful position in the leadership of Osun State.

She said her aspiration aimed to raise political awareness among women and challenge longstanding exclusion.

Abiola said the state belonged to all and not to a select few, adding that Osun was ready for its first female governor. She maintained that she was prepared to restore what she described as the lost glory of women in the state’s political structure.

She insisted that she was confident of winning both the APC primary and the 2026 governorship election despite the calibre of other aspirants.

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She said the competition would not deter her from pursuing her ambition and championing the political advancement of women.