A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, led by former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and former Secretary to the State Government Fatai Akinbade, has endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the August 15 election.
The group, however, said its decision to support Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, did not amount to defection from the PDP.
Oyinlola made the declaration on Sunday at the WOCDIF Event Centre in Osogbo, where party leaders and supporters gathered to announce their position.
The former governor said the decision was driven by what the group considered the best interest of Osun State, insisting that political loyalty should not override the welfare of the people.
“We are not defecting from the PDP,” Oyinlola said, adding that the group had chosen to support a candidate it believed could provide inclusive leadership and chart a different course for the state.
He said the group had played a significant role in the emergence of the current PDP administration, mobilising support and investing political resources in the project.
According to him, dissatisfaction emerged after the administration allegedly failed to operate an inclusive system of governance.
“Unfortunately, along the line, things began to fall apart. One of the major issues that have created this unfortunate situation, in our considered view, is the lack of inclusiveness in the governance of our state,” he said.
Oyinlola described the decision to back Oyebamiji as one based on “necessity, conviction and our sincere desire for the progress of Osun State”.
He urged the APC candidate to ensure broad representation across the state if elected, listen to residents and place the interests of the people above political considerations.
“We remain proud members of the Peoples Democratic Party. But today, in the interest of Osun State, we stand with AMBO,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Director-General of the APC Governorship Campaign Council, Wole Oke, apologised to the PDP leaders for backing Governor Ademola Adeleke during the 2022 election despite their position at the time.
Oke, a former PDP member, described the gathering as a convergence of “progressive-minded people” determined to promote what he called the interest of Osun State.
He said Oyebamiji was adequately prepared to govern the state, citing his 12 years of experience as Chairman of the Osun State Investment Company Limited (OSICOL) and Commissioner for Finance.
Oke also criticised Adeleke’s administration, describing the governor as “grossly incompetent”, while declaring that Oyebamiji had already secured victory in the forthcoming election.
Akinbade, who also spoke at the event, urged members of the emerging political alliance to return to their polling units, wards and local government areas to mobilise votes for the APC candidate.
He called on supporters to suspend calculations surrounding the 2027 general elections until after the governorship poll.
“The 2027 permutation should wait while we deliver this state for APC,” Akinbade said.
Former Osun Governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, also canvassed votes for Oyebamiji, focusing his criticism on the condition of roads and other infrastructure across the state.
Oyetola argued that federal allocations accruing to Osun were sufficient to improve the state’s roads, alleging that several roads remained in poor condition despite claims of rehabilitation by the current administration.
He specifically referenced the Osogbo-Ila road while questioning the management of road projects in the state.
Oyetola also described Oyebamiji as a financial expert capable of reforming Osun, noting that the APC candidate had spent 12 years in public office without being questioned or summoned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He urged voters to support Oyebamiji, describing him as a person of good character who would fulfil his campaign promises.
In his response, Oyebamiji said the endorsement had strengthened his campaign and made his task easier ahead of the election.
He said he had visited all 30 local government areas in Osun about three times, claiming that his campaign had received positive responses from residents across different groups.
According to him, artisans, business operators, teachers, women, youths and elderly residents had expressed support for his candidacy.
Oyebamiji pledged to establish an inclusive administration if elected, saying the endorsement from prominent political leaders had placed a responsibility on him to meet the expectations of the people.
“My father, Oyinlola, made demands that I must run an inclusive government,” he said, promising to do his best to meet the expectations of Osun residents.
He also dismissed allegations that the election could be rigged, arguing that those making such claims were already apprehensive about losing the contest.
