Oyetola’s candidate wins Osun APC primary, Omisore absent

File: Former MD/CEO, NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji

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The immediate past National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Iyiola Omisore, was absent at the Osun State governorship primary of the party, held in Osogbo, the state capital, on Saturday.

This is as the immediate past Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji, emerged as the APC candidate for the 2026 governorship election.

Oyebamiji, who has the backing of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, emerged through affirmation, following a motion moved and supported by two of the governorship aspirants, Kunle Adegoke, SAN, and Babajide Omoworare.

Moving the motion, Adegoke said, “On behalf of the other aspirants of the party, I endorse Asiwaju Oyebamiji as our candidate for the 2026 Osun governorship election coming up in August. This follows the decision of all the aspirants to step down for Asiwaju Oyebamiji to be the party flagbearer in 2026.”

The chairman of the governorship primary, Edo State Governor Monday Okpoboholo, subsequently put a voice vote, which received overwhelming support from all present at the primary.

Okpoboholo then declared, “By the power conferred on me, I present to you Bola Oyebamiji as the governorship candidate of our party.”

The election was witnessed by the co-chairman of the primary committee, Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa of Ondo State, and other committee members, including Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, and the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, who stood in for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Other dignitaries in attendance included Oyetola, APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, the lawmaker representing Osun East in the Senate, Francis Fadahunsi, and Osun APC Chairman Tajudeen Lawal, among others.

Also in attendance were six of the seven disqualified governorship aspirants by the APC Screening Committee. Oyebamiji, who eventually emerged as the candidate, and a female aspirant, Mulikat Abiola, were cleared to participate in the primary.

The disqualified aspirants who attended the event included the ex-Deputy Governor of the state, Benedict Alabi; Omoworare; Adegoke; Hareter Oralusi; Dotun Babayemi; and Dr Akin Ogunbiyi.

Omisore was, however, noticeably absent at the event.

Speaking shortly after his emergence, Oyebamiji, who also previously served as Osun Commissioner for Finance, accepted the nomination and called for the support of all stakeholders to reposition the state.

Flanked by his wife, Shekinat Oyebamiji, and Oyetola, the ex-NIWA MD said that if elected governor, he would work towards “elevating the standard of living for every Osun resident by alleviating poverty, eradicating hunger, and promoting a functional educational system for all.”

He added, “The health system in Osun State is currently moribund; we intend to revitalise it, thereby reducing the need for medical tourism. The welfare of the populace, communal peace, and progress are paramount to our party, as they foster an environment where opportunity abounds and innovation flourishes.

“Consequently, I invite well-meaning citizens of Osun State and our party faithful to join us on the progressive journey to reposition our state for greater heights. The task before us is huge but achievable.

“Therefore, as I offer myself for service, I sincerely invite my co-aspirants, members of our political party, and other Progressives who may be outside our fold now to join me in reversing our dear state from its drift into total systemic collapse.”

He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his support and faith in him and in the APC members in Osun, noting the support of the National Chairman of the party, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the National Secretary Senator Ajibola Bashiru, and the entire National Working Committee of the party.

He also lauded the contributions of ex-Osun Governors Adebisi Akande and Adegboyega Oyetola for their commitment to ensuring that the APC remains united and in a good position to return to power in the state.

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