Oyetola-Backed Oyebamiji Emerges Osun APC Governorship Candidate, Omisore Absent

Former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 2026 Osun State governorship election.

Oyebamiji clinched the party’s ticket on Saturday in Osogbo through affirmation, following a consensus decision by other governorship aspirants to step down in his favour.

The primary, chaired by Edo State Governor Monday Okpoboholo, saw overwhelming support for Oyebamiji after a motion endorsing him was moved by Kunle Adegoke (SAN) and seconded by Babajide Omoworare.

Notably absent from the exercise was the immediate past APC National Secretary, Iyiola Omisore, whose non-appearance drew attention at the event.

Oyebamiji is widely regarded as the candidate backed by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, a former governor of the state.

Declaring the result, Okpoboholo announced Oyebamiji as the party’s flagbearer, with the process witnessed by several top APC figures, including Ondo State Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, and Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Other dignitaries at the primary included Oyetola, APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, Osun APC Chairman Tajudeen Lawal, and Senator Francis Fadahunsi.

Speaking after his emergence, Oyebamiji thanked party leaders and members for the confidence reposed in him and called for unity ahead of the 2026 election.

He pledged to focus on improving living standards in Osun State through poverty reduction, food security, education reform, and healthcare revitalisation.

“The health system in Osun is currently moribund, and we intend to revive it to reduce the need for medical tourism,” he said, while appealing to party members and well-meaning residents to join him in repositioning the state.

Oyebamiji also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, the APC National Working Committee, and former Osun governors Adebisi Akande and Adegboyega Oyetola for their support and commitment to party unity.

Source: The Punch (By Bola Bamigbola)