Prominent social entrepreneur and philanthropist, Hareter Babatunde Oralusi, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2026 Osun State governorship election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking at his declaration event in Osogbo on Thursday, Oralusi positioned himself as a candidate of change, promising to bring accountability and transparency to governance while aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
In his declaration speech, Oralusi painted a picture of transformation, stating: “Today, Nigeria is at the dawn of a new era. Under the visionary leadership of President Tinubu, we are witnessing the birth of a New Nigeria – a nation grounded on progressive governance and innovation.”
The 54-year-old entrepreneur, born in Ibadan in 1971, emphasized the need for Osun State to complement the federal government’s national reforms with local initiatives that would transform the state into “a productive, modern, and prosperous state that contributes meaningfully to the New Nigeria agenda.”
Oralusi deplored what he described as entrenched interests in Osun politics, declaring that “the era where godfatherism must give way to a new dawn of accountability, transparency, and shared prosperity.”
Specifically, he criticised old politicians of treating “collective wealth as personal inheritance” and promised to end the practice where “few individuals have cornered opportunities meant for the people and turned governance into self-enrichment.”
“Our resources must serve the people, not the privileged few,” Oralusi declared, adding that his administration would ensure “governance returns to where it truly belongs – to the citizens of Osun State.”
Oralusi brings significant experience from both the private and social sectors. According to his profile, he is an international social entrepreneur, activist, and philanthropist with educational background from institutions including the London School of Social Enterprise and Sustainable Economics.
As an impact investor and social entrepreneur, Oralusi has been involved in various initiatives focused on sustainable development and grassroots empowerment. His social media profiles describe him as a clergyman and politician with interests in addressing poverty through local government autonomy and community development.
Oralusi’s entry adds to the list of APC aspirants seeking to challenge the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2026.
The 2026 Osun governorship election represents a rematch opportunity for the APC, which lost the state to the PDP’s Adeleke in 2022. Governor Adeleke defeated the then-incumbent APC Governor Adegboyega Oyetola in a closely contested election.
Political analysts suggest that the large number of APC aspirants indicates the party’s confidence in reclaiming the state.
With his declaration, Oralusi joins the race positioning himself as a fresh face offering innovative solutions to governance challenges. His emphasis on President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda suggests an attempt to leverage federal support while his background in social entrepreneurship may appeal to younger voters seeking alternatives to traditional politicians.
The APC primary election timeline and the eventual emergence of a consensus candidate will likely determine how competitive the party can be against Governor Adeleke’s re-election bid.
As Oralusi concluded in his declaration: “The Time is Now and No One Would be Left Behind” – a message that encapsulates his promise of inclusive governance for all citizens of Osun State.
