Bola Oyebamiji emerges as APC gubernatorial candidate in Osun

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has confirmed Bola Oyebamiji, the immediate past Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), as its consensus candidate for the upcoming Osun State governorship election, scheduled for August 8, 2026.
‎
The decision was finalized at the party’s primary on Saturday, December 13, in Osogbo, after a meeting led by President Bola Tinubu earlier in the week where aspirants agreed to back a consensus candidate. Oyebamiji was nominated by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kunle Adegoke, and seconded by former Senator Babajide Omoworare.
‎
All 1,660 delegates from the state’s 332 wards unanimously endorsed Oyebamiji via a voice vote. The primary election committee Chairman, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, declared the former two-term Commissioner for Finance in Osun State as the party’s flagbearer.
‎
‎Oyebamiji, who carries the nickname AMBO, has a long history in the banking and public administration sectors and previously served under former Governors Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola.
‎
‎Oyebamiji is chosen by the party to reclaim the state governorship from the incumbent PDP Governor Ademola Adeleke in the August 2026 election.
‎
APC leadership views the consensus approach as a successful strategy to prevent internal division, which made the party lose the state to the PDP in the 2022 election. President Tinubu also urged Oyebamiji to be magnanimous in victory and ensure inclusivity among all party stakeholders.
‎
‎
‎