Osun 2026: Coalition Of CSOs Back APC National Secretary,Ajibola Bashir

A coalition of civil society organisations has called on the people of Osun State and the All Progressives Congress, APC to rally round the candidacy of Senator Ajibola Bashir in the governorship election coming up in the state next year.

The group stressed that Bashir, the current National Secretary of the APC, a former Senator and, two term commissioner, has the requisite experience, expertise to pilot the affairs of the State of the Living Spring to a higher pedestal.

It also stated that in terms of political calculus, Osogbo Constituency, where the Senator hails from, has the requisite voters advantage to deliver Osun for the ruling party.

These were contained in a statement signed by Comrade Gbenga Soloki, the Executive Director of the Center Against Injustice Domestic Violence (CAIDOV) and Omotaje Olawale, head of WorkBond International Network, (WIN), dated Monday July 28, 2025.

The Coalition revealed that their support also stemmed from the connection of the distinguished Senator to their constituency.

It noted that as a students union leader in the University of Ilorin, Senator Bashir fiercely fought for the rights and welfare of students to the extent that he was expelled.

“At the University of Lagos where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Law, he was equally a reputed and respected students leader up to the national level where, along with other colleagues, they did not just fight for student’s interests but was also actively engaged in the trenches for the disengagement of military dictatorship from the corridors of power.

“On graduation, he was active in the agitation for respect of human rights and pro democracy leading to the exit of the military, which paved the way for current democratic dispensation. He was an active member of the Campaign for Democracy CD, United Action for Democracy UAD, and , Congress of Progressive Youth, COPY.

“His chambers was leading light, pivotal to rectifying the shenanigans of the military. For many people who were robbed of their hard earned victory polls, he was part of the legal team that fought for the restoration of their victories,” the statement read.

It was added that in terms of political experience, Bashir served as commissioner in Osun State for two terms and that he was later welected into the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where he served as its spokesperson.

“We dare to ask all other pretenders in the race to display their profiles. They are merely Liliputians in any comparison to Senator, (Dr) Ajibola Bashir, SRJ.

“The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations wishes to use this medium to pledge its preparedness to be engaged in the trenches to campaign for Dr. Ajibola to be in power as Governor of Osun State in 2026,” the coalition said.