The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, has received a fresh wave of defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing the development as a clear signal of growing public discontent with the incumbent administration in the state.
Oyebamiji spoke at a meeting with the defectors facilitated by the founder of the Ajisope Development Initiative, Abdulkabir Adeoye, where he urged members of the APC and other opposition groups to align with his governorship ambition in the interest of what he described as inclusive and people-centred governance.
The APC flagbearer also took a swipe at the Accord party, to which Governor Ademola Adeleke belongs, insisting that the party is rapidly losing relevance and political strength across the state.
In a pointed rebuttal of claims attributed to the governor, Oyebamiji dismissed suggestions that President Tinubu advised Adeleke to defect to the Accord party. He warned supporters against “lies and rigging plots” being peddled to mislead the electorate.
“There is no future for those who remain in the Accord party. They should come and join us,” Oyebamiji said. “The President did not tell anybody to go to Accord party, contrary to what they are spreading.”
He charged members of the Ajisope Development Initiative and other supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation, urging them to focus on winning their polling units as a pathway to electoral victory.
“This is operation win your unit. Let us work in our units. Once we win, we will know that joy has come,” he declared.
Addressing circulating allegations about his policy agenda, Oyebamiji firmly denied claims that he plans to reduce workers’ salaries if elected, describing such reports as baseless.
He also faulted assertions that his proposed development blueprint is unfavourable to the people of Osun, insisting that misinformation would not prevent the current administration from being voted out in the August 8 governorship election.
Speaking at the event, the founder of the Ajisope Development Initiative, Abdulkabir Adeoye, criticised the style of governance of the present administration in the state, alleging marginalisation of communities outside the governor’s hometown.
According to Adeoye, the government operates “by Ede, for Ede,” citing the deplorable condition of the road linking his hometown, Oba, as evidence of neglect.
“They behave as if other towns do not exist. We are tired of this government of Ede, by Ede, and for Ede,” he said, expressing confidence that the APC would win the forthcoming election.
The leader of the defectors, Hon. Raji Kareem, disclosed that the initiative has attracted members from various political parties, adding that artisans and professional groups have also joined the movement.
He lamented what he described as unequal treatment within the PDP and pledged to deploy his political influence to support Oyebamiji’s emergence as governor.
With the August 8 election drawing closer, the APC candidate’s camp views the latest defections as a significant boost to its momentum, framing the contest as a referendum on governance, equity, and statewide development in Osun.