A former lawmaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, who doubles as a Chieftain of the APC in Ijeshaland, Hon. Folarin Fafowora has projected the National Secretary of the APC, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru PhD as the successor of the incumbent, Ademola Adeleke ahead of the August 8th 2026 off-cycle Osun gubernatorial election.
In a recent political gathering, Fafowora, a core promoter of the Alubarika Movement cleared the air on the growing rumour that Dr. Basiru popularly knownas SRJ has tactically withdrawn from the 2026 Osun governorship race. He stated unapologetically and firmly that SRJ has not buried his desire to lead Osun state and her people, he has not stepped down for anyone and he remains committed to the mission, vision, and political goals of the Alubarika movement.
“The rumour is the handiwork of political detractors who are uncomfortable with Basiru’s rising popularity at the national level, having been humbled by the public approval of intelligence and proficiency as made by President Tinubu at the APC NEC meeting in Abuja recently”
This is a word of encouragement to party faithful and our core supporters that SRJ is a focused and strategic politician with clear objectives. He is galvanising support for the renewed Hope Agenda ahead of the 2027 election across the Northern and Southern states for the reelection of Mr. President. SRJ’s national assignment will not stop him from contributing to the growth and development of Osun state.
Fafowora emphasized that the APC in Osun State is at a critical point where proper planning and effective strategy are necessary for victory. He pointed out that SRJ’s qualities of accessibility, leadership experience, intentionality, and deep understanding of Osun politics make him the most suitable candidate to take over from the current PDP led government.
He called on the APC members to rally around strong and popular leaders who can deliver electoral success, and not cosmetic showmanship.
“The strength of the progressive camp is made up of visionary and forward thinking leaders who know what the people of Osun want per time and Basiru remains loyal to the APC structure and will always follow the direction of the party’s state and national leadership, especially the guidance and directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the Osun 2026 election.
He encouraged Alubarika supporters not to be discouraged. Abere is our target and we will get there in 2026, urging them to continue their grassroots mobilization as the people of Osun deserve a government that is focused on real development and not Ademola Adeleke who has wasted close to a trillion naira of public resources on entertainment and frivolities, he concluded.
