An international businessman and Chairman of Nigerian Capital Development Fund (NCDF), Hareter Babatunde Oralusi, yesterday joined Osun State 2026 governorship race in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Oralusi, a governorship candidate of Action Alliance (AA) in 2014, who later joined APC, declared his intention in his hometown, Ile-Ife.
He assured the citizens that he would prioritise welfare.
He urged youths to use his ambition to reclaim their destiny by enthroning accountability, transparency and prosperity in moving Osun State forward.
Oralusi said: ‘Our resources must serve the people, not the privileged few.’
He said if he emerged as the candidate of APC, he would defeat Governor Ademola Adeleke and enthrone progressives ideology in the state from 2026.
‘I will align my programme with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to move Osun State forward. 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 in progressive governance and innovation.’
Oralusi emphasised the need for Osun State to complement Federal Government’s national reforms with local initiatives that would transform the state into a productive, modern and prosperous state that would contribute meaningfully to the New Nigeria agenda.
The 54-year-old business tycoon declared that ‘the era has come when godfatherism must give way to a new dawn of accountability, transparency and shared prosperity.
He lamented over statistics of unemployed youths in Osun State, noting that he would bring idea that would create jobs and make life meaningful for residents.
‘I want to assure our youths that I will tackle unemployment. Currently, 85 per cent youths are unemployed in Osun State. It is alarming, but if elected I will tackle this menace,’ he said.
He also promised innovative solutions to governance challenges.
Oralusi’s entry adds to the list of APC aspirants seeking to challenge incumbent Governor Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2026.