A governorship hopeful of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Chief Bola Oyebamiji, says he is ready to collaborate with fellow aspirants, including Senator Iyiola Omisore, to ensure the party regains control of the state in the 2026 election.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday after submitting his expression of interest and nomination forms at the APC national secretariat, Oyebamiji stressed that the party’s chances hinge on presenting a united front.
He said all 14 aspirants have a shared responsibility to support whoever becomes the party’s flag bearer.
Calling the contest a “friendly match,” the former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority expressed confidence in his own chances but maintained that party cohesion remains paramount.
“Omisore is an elder we respect. He is not the only credible aspirant. Whoever emerges, we will stand behind them,” he said. “In two years, we have not lost anyone from our fold, and more than a million have joined us. APC remains the party to beat.”
Oyebamiji highlighted his professional and administrative background as the basis for his confidence. He said his 28-year banking career equipped him with the discipline, performance orientation, and resource management skills needed for public leadership.
“I worked in banking for nearly three decades. You must know your job and deliver results. I left the private sector to serve Osun, and in every office I held, I left without blemish,” he said.
His roles have included headship of Osun State’s Trade and Investment Agency, Commissioner for Finance, and later, chief executive of NIWA. He argued that this breadth of experience positions him as “the candidate to beat” in the upcoming primary.
Oyebamiji rejected suggestions that influential backers are behind his ambition, insisting his strength lies in grassroots support.
“Nobody is backing me except the Almighty God and the credible people of Osun,” he said.
He described Osun as a state rich in talent and resources but lacking the disciplined management required for transformation. Delegates, he argued, must look beyond campaign slogans and evaluate track record, integrity, and capacity.
Oyebamiji urged prayers and pledged broad-based mobilisation as the race gathers momentum. If elected, he said he would run a transparent and evidence-driven administration focused on improving infrastructure, expanding opportunities, and restoring confidence in governance.
