Social entrepreneur and philanthropist, Hareter Babatunde Oralusi, has thrown his hat into the ring for the 2026 Osun State governorship election with a promise to retire old politicians.
He will contest on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
His declaration on Thursday in Osogbo signaled a new phase in the buildup to the polls, as the ruling party at the federal level seeks to reclaim the state from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
At the event, Oralusi presented himself as a candidate of accountability and transparency, promising to complement President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda with bold reforms in Osun.
He criticized entrenched interests in the state’s politics, insisting that the era of “godfatherism” must give way to citizen-driven governance.
“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,” he declared. “Our resources must serve the people, not the privileged few.”
Born in Ibadan in 1971, the 54-year-old Oralusi combines business, social entrepreneurship, and politics.
READ ALSO: Oralusi: Passionate for impactful development and humanity
He studied in Austria and the UK, gaining qualifications in theology, informatics, and human resource management, and later founded institutions such as the Nigerian Capital Development Fund and the London School of Social Enterprise and Sustainable Economics.
Oralusi has also held political roles, including serving as Senior Special Assistant on Rural Development and Water Resources in Osun State between 2007 and 2010.
Over the years, he has built a reputation as a development advocate focused on grassroots empowerment, diaspora capital mobilisation, and local government autonomy.
His declaration adds to a growing list of APC aspirants eyeing the governorship seat currently held by Governor Ademola Adeleke of the PDP, who unseated former APC Governor Adegboyega Oyetola in 2022.
Political observers say the outcome of the APC primaries will determine how strongly the party can challenge Adeleke in 2026.
Framing his campaign as a movement for inclusive growth and reform, Oralusi closed with a message of unity: “The Time is Now and No One Would be Left Behind.”
Crediblenewsng.com
