The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has affirmed Mr. Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, the immediate past Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), as its candidate for the August 8, 2026, governorship election.
Oyebamiji, a former Commissioner for Finance in the state, clinched the party’s ticket through a consensus arrangement reached among the aspirants during the primary election held in Osogbo today, Saturday, December 13, 2025.
The decision marks a significant step toward achieving unity within the Osun APC, which has been grappling with internal divisions.
Oyebamiji was adopted as the consensus candidate after seven other aspirants, including prominent figures like Senator Babajide Omoworare and Mr. Kunle Rasheed (SAN), agreed to withdraw from the race and support his candidacy.
Mr. Rasheed moved the motion for Oyebamiji’s adoption, which was seconded by Senator Omoworare. The Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, subsequently put the ratification to a voice vote, which received overwhelming support from the 1,660 delegates across the state’s 30 local government areas.
Governor Okpebholo formally declared, “By the power vested in me, I declare Oyebamiji as the APC candidate for Aug. 8, 2026 governorship election in Osun.”
Bola Oyebamiji brings a rich background in finance and administration to the contest. He served as a two-term Commissioner for Finance in Osun State during the administrations of former Governors Rauf Aregbesola and Adegboyega Oyetola.
Until his recent resignation, he was the Managing Director/CEO of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), an appointment he received under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. He resigned to comply with the Electoral Act and pursue his gubernatorial ambition.
He is an experienced banker, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), and holds multiple Master’s degrees.
In his acceptance speech, Oyebamiji thanked the other aspirants for their sacrifice and attributed his emergence to the support of the leaders and elders of the APC at both the state and national levels, emphasizing the need for unity to defeat the incumbent, Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
