Dare Babalola
Seven governorship aspirants from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State have stepped down to back Bola Oyebamiji as the party’s consensus candidate for the upcoming primary.
This decision followed a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, where the aspirants agreed to unite behind Oyebamiji, aiming for party cohesion ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
The aspirants who withdrew from the race include former Deputy Governor Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, Dotun Babayemi, Akin Ogunbiyi, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Kunle Adegoke (SAN), Babatunde Haketer Oralusi, and Mulikat Abiola Jimoh.
The meeting, convened by President Tinubu, was notably boycotted by Iyiola Omisore, another aspirant, who had previously dismissed his disqualification from the primary as a “joke.”
The development is expected to consolidate support for Oyebamiji ahead of the APC governorship primary in Osun State.
Oyebamiji, the APC’s consensus candidate, will face a competitive field in the upcoming Osun State governorship election.
One of his key opponents is Governor Ademola Adeleke, the candidate of the Accord Party, who is the incumbent. Adeleke’s campaign is expected to focus on his previous experience and vision for the state’s development.
Oyebamiji will also contend with candidates from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC). While the specific candidates from these parties are yet to be finalised, the election is shaping up to be a significant contest between the major parties in Osun State.
The outcome will largely depend on the candidates’ policies, grassroots appeal, and ability to connect with voters on key issues affecting the state.
