The Chairman of the Mutual Assurance Benefits, Akin Ogunbiyi, has declared his intention to vie for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress in the 2026 Osun governorship poll, saying he has bright chances to emerge the party?s flagbearer.

Ogunbiyi, who had stormed Osun APC State Secretariat in Osogbo on Thursday with a large number of supporters, while addressing them, also said all the governorship aspirants on the platform of the party would work together to end the reign of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.

The businessman cum politician, who allayed concerns over the growing number of aspirants seeking the APC governorship ticket, said President Bola Tinubu?s handling of the nation?s affairs has made the national ruling party a preferred destination for many politicians.

Asked specifically about his chances to emerge as the APC candidate, Ogunbiyi said, ?I am here today to officially declare that I want to contest for the 2026 gubernatorial election under the All Progressives Congress. I and other aspirants who have shown interest in the ticket earlier are one.

?We have all concluded that what we want as a party is to chase the PDP away in 2026. So, anyone whom the party chooses as the candidate, we must all work together to achieve the party?s aim.

?My chances of winning the ticket are so bright. You can see the support across the state. I believe I stand as a unifying factor for APC in Osun. By God?s grace, I have my people across the state, and I enjoy a lot of goodwill.?

He continued, ?You can see what happened today. Everybody came from across the state, from every local government, to show solidarity with me. I also want to appeal to those who have reached the age of 18 and have yet to get their Permanent Voters Card to go and register. What will make us happy is to win the gubernatorial election next year.?

Earlier, Osun APC state secretary, Mr Kamoru Olabisi, while addressing the gathering, assured that the party would work hard to mobilise support towards a successful outing in the 2026 governorship poll and the 2027 general elections.

Olabisi also announced that Ogunbiyi brought with him into the APC over 1,200 supporters from his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party, urging both old and new members to embark on aggressive sensitisation across the state to bring in more people into the party?s fold. (The PUNCH)

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