A former governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Akin Ogunbiyi, has formally collapsed his political structure in support of the party’s governorship candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), ahead of the 2026 governorship election in the state.
Ogunbiyi, who is also the Chairman of Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, made the declaration on Saturday during a debrief meeting with members and leaders of his campaign organisation in Osogbo. At the meeting, the Ile-Ogbo-born politician urged his supporters across Osun to close ranks behind the APC candidate and work collectively for the party’s victory.
He also used the occasion to publicly declare his intention to contest the Osun West Senatorial seat on the platform of the APC, signalling a strategic shift from the governorship race to the National Assembly contest.
Ogunbiyi recalled that he was among the eight aspirants who sought the APC governorship ticket, which was eventually clinched by Oyebamiji through a consensus arrangement. His political movement, known as Idera De, had built a significant grassroots presence across parts of the state prior to the primary process.
Addressing his supporters, Ogunbiyi said the emergence of an Osun West candidate as the APC flagbearer aligned with his long-standing advocacy for equity and zoning within the party.
“We are very happy because I am from the West and we want the governorship candidate to emerge from Osun West. We are grateful to God that this has happened,” he said.
He added that personal ambition must now give way to party supremacy and collective responsibility.
“As for my belief and vision to govern the state, that has become a secondary issue now that a candidate of the party has emerged. There is no more grouping. All of us aspirants agreed to work for the party and ensure victory,” Ogunbiyi stated.
On his senatorial ambition, Ogunbiyi expressed confidence in assurances he said he had received from party leaders.
“Our leaders have individually and collectively mentioned to me that I will pick the senatorial ticket. I have no reason to doubt them,” he said, adding that his supporters should see the current political realignment as a gain rather than a loss.
“The most important thing is for Bola Oyebamiji to emerge as the elected governor of Osun State. If that happens, by the grace of God, I will also emerge as the senator representing Osun West,” he declared.
He subsequently announced the formal dissolution of his political structure and directed members to deploy their strength and networks in support of Oyebamiji and the APC across the state.
“We may not be too happy that we didn’t get the governorship ticket, but that does not mean we will not work for the party,” Ogunbiyi said.
Highlighting his electoral influence, he noted that Iwo Federal Constituency alone accounts for about 170,000 votes, assuring the APC leadership that the area would deliver massively for Oyebamiji in the forthcoming election.
“Progressives should count on Iwo. As we have always done in the past, we will deliver for Oyebamiji and we will deliver for the APC,” he pledged.
The development is seen as a boost for the APC’s unity drive in Osun State, as the party intensifies efforts to consolidate internal cohesion ahead of the 2026 governorship election.