The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed the chances of Senator Ajibola Basiru in the 2026 governorship race, calling him “unelectable” and lacking the grassroots appeal to mount a serious challenge against incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, May 15, the PDP’s Director of Media and Publicity, Oladele Bamiji, urged Basiru to focus on winning the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary before dreaming of the governorship.
The statement came in response to recent comments by Basiru’s campaign team, which called on Governor Adeleke to prepare for defeat in the upcoming election.
“I hope Senator Ajibola Basiru and his subjects understand that political ambition is not just by mouth or by speaking grammar around,” Bamiji said.
Citing Basiru’s loss in the 2023 senatorial election, Bamiji argued that the APC National Secretary’s declining political relevance had already been established by voters in his Osun Central Senatorial District.
“If he had performed well in the Senate, his constituents would not have overwhelmingly rejected him,” Bamiji added.
He described the possibility of the APC nominating Basiru in 2026 as a political “gift” to the PDP, stating:
“Maybe by the time God will want to make it so easy for PDP to win the 2026 governorship election again, Basiru will be put forward as APC candidate.”
Bamiji further claimed that Basiru “does not have the popularity or personality” to rally state-wide support, adding that the PDP welcomes his candidacy as one that would pose no serious threat.
Basiru’s camp hits back, flags Adeleke’s alleged failures
Earlier, Basiru’s campaign team had issued a mixed-message birthday tribute to Governor Adeleke, respecting the governor’s 65th birthday while criticizing his administration’s record.
The statement, signed by Prof. Aderemi Ajala, acknowledged Adeleke’s 2022 victory but claimed his governance has been marred by underperformance in agriculture, education, and healthcare.
“The politics we are all involved in is because of the betterment of our state,” the statement read. “Senator Basiru’s ambition is driven by concern for governance.”
They also alleged that Governor Adeleke’s frequent absences from the state have hindered development and challenged the administration to account for how state funds received over the last 30 months have been spent.
Zoning dispute brews within APC
Tensions are also rising within the Osun APC, as Basiru has publicly rejected the idea of zoning the party’s 2026 governorship ticket to the Osun West Senatorial District—a move that could further complicate his path to the nomination.
In a social media post on Monday, May 12, Basiru called zoning “undemocratic,” insisting that competence, not geography, should determine the party’s flag bearer.
