APC governorship candidate in Osun, Mr Bola Oyebamiji
By John Dike, Osogbo
By consensus, a former boss of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Mr Bola Oyebamiji has been adopted as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2026 Osun State election.
He emerged at the party’s governorship Primary and Affirmation Congress on Saturday in Osogbo, the state capital.
Described by party officials as a demonstration of unity and discipline, the exercise saw all other aspirants voluntarily stepping down in favor of Oyebamiji, paving the way for his emergence as the consensus candidate.
One of the party’s governorship aspirants, Kunle Adegoke, SAN, moved the motion to adopt Oyebamiji at the exercise’s venue inside the premises of Ebunoluwa Group of Schools, Osogbo.
Adegoke said, “I, Kunle Rasheed Adegoke, with the consent of all other aspirants, move the motion that Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji been adopted as the consensus candidate of the APC for the 2026 Osun governorship election. I so move.”
The motion was seconded by another aspirant, Senator Babajide Omoworare, officially confirming Oyebamiji’s candidacy.
Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State and Chairman of the Osun APC Governorship Primary Election Committee, Okpebholo, subjected the motion to a voice vote, which received overwhelming support from party members present at the primary.
He thereafter formally announced Oyebamiji as the duly affirmed APC governorship candidate.
Okpebholo subsequently declared, “By the power conferred on me, I present to you Bola Oyebamiji, as the governorship candidate of our party.”
In his remarks, Okpebholo described the process as a reflection of the party’s commitment to credible and transparent democratic practices.
“It is an honour to be here today at this important Primary and Affirmation Congress of our great party in Osun State,” Okpebholo said.
He added, “Today’s exercise reflects our unity, discipline, and shared commitment to reclaiming Osun State.
“I thank the National Working Committee for the confidence reposed in this Committee, and I commend all aspirants for placing the interest of the party above personal ambition. Your sacrifice has strengthened our party.”
Addressing the party delegates, he described them as “the backbone of our democracy,” and urged them to maintain peace, unity, and focus as the party positions Osun State for progress and alignment with the “Renewed Hope Agenda” at the federal level.
Earlier, APC State Chairman Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, emphasized the importance of internal cohesion in securing victory in the upcoming governorship election.
He praised the aspirants who stepped down for Oyebamiji, highlighting their sportsmanship and dedication to the party.
“Success is most easily achieved when there is unity,” Lawal said, noting that the existing harmony within the party structure is a testament to strong leadership and disciplined politics.
He also acknowledged the pivotal role of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola in fostering cohesion among party members.
Following his affirmation, Oyebamiji called on all progressives in Osun State to rally behind the APC and work together to reclaim the state.
He reiterated his commitment to a campaign based on unity, progress, and the collective interest of the people of Osun State, emphasizing that the party’s shared vision would guide the state towards economic growth, social development, and improved governance.
Oyebamiji’s affirmation as the APC governorship candidate sets the stage for a highly competitive 2026 election, with the party hopeful that its unified approach will resonate with the electorate and secure a victory that strengthens APC’s influence in the state.
Earlier on Tuesday, 1660 delegates to elect the candidate at the party’s scheduled Saturday December 13 governorship primary had emerged.
Dramatically on Wednesday however, the seven APC governorship aspirants in the state had stepped down for a consensus candidate after a late-night meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
One of the seven who was also the party’s immediate former National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, on Wednesday, speaking on a TVC News programme, Politics Tonight, declared his support for the party’s arrangement to choose a consensus candidate for the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
Omisore, who was among seven aspirants disqualified by the APC Screening Committee for alleged violations of party guidelines and electoral provisions, said he accepted the decision following guidance from President Bola Tinubu.
Oyebamiji, a banker and former Managing Director/CEO of the National Inland Waterways Authority, served successively as Commissioner for Finance in the Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola administrations
Born at Ikire in Irewole local government area of the state, he had a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Banking and Finance from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to Wikipedia, he “began his career at the International Banking Division, Wema Bank Plc in 1987 as an Assistant Manager.
“He moved to Trans International Bank Plc, Ikeja Lagos State, in 1998 as a Senior Manager and rose to the position of Head of Lagos Region as a Principal Manager in 2003.
“In 2005, he joined Spring Bank Plc (Corporate Branch), Lagos, as Head of Business Development, and in 2009, he moved to Enterprise Bank Ltd Lagos as Head of Retail Business.
“His commitment to community development led to his appointment as Managing Director/CEO of Osun State Investment Company Limited, Osogbo in 2012.”
“… In 2012, under the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Oyebamiji was appointed Managing Director/CEO of Osun State Investment Company.
“He was later appointed Commissioner for Finance. During the 2018 elections, he was a governorship aspirant under the All Progressive Congress (APC) Party but withdrew from the race.”
He was appointed Special Adviser to Oyetola, the Minister for Marine and Blue Economy and later as managing director and CEO of the National Inland Waterways Authority under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Oyebamiji is married to Sekinah Bola-Oyebamiji with children.
