Osun 2026: No Anointed Candidate from President – APC Aspirant 

The Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji, has said that President Bola Tinubu has not endorsed any aspirant seeking the All Progressives Congress governorship ticket for the 2026 election in Osun State.

Oyebamiji, who is vying for the APC ticket alongside about 10 other aspirants, disclosed this during his consultation visit to the headquarters of Ifedayo and Odo Otin Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.

The NIWA boss, who had previously served as the Commissioner for Finance in the administrations of ex-governors Rauf Aregbesola and Adegboyega Oyetola, said all the gubernatorial aspirants seeking APC ticket are qualified, adding that the paramount objective of the party is to win next year’s poll in the state.

“There has been a lot of rumour flying around and I can tell you that the insinuations going around are not true. Some people are saying that we have already shared positions to those that will work with me, if I become the governor. That is not true.

“All governorship aspirants under the APC are good ambassadors of our party. We are all qualified to contest for this position, but I want to tell you that none of the aspirants have been anointed by the President or the leaders of the party,” Oyebamiji said while addressing his party members in Oke Ila.

Speaking during the visit to Okuku, Oyebamiji, who lauded APC members for the warm reception accorded him, urged people that are above 18 years to go out and register for Permanent Voters Card to enable them participate in the next governorship poll.

He further said, “This is a good outing for our party. It shows that our party is ready, and I am so encouraged by this. I am grateful to the people of Ifedayo and Odo-Otin Local Governments.

“I want to encourage our people of voting age to go out en masse to register for their Permanent Voters Card. This is one of the most important aspects of voting. Once the registration starts, I urge our people to go and register.”

The leader of the local government chairmen elected on the platform of APC in the state, Abiodun Idowu, while receiving the team in Oke Ila, declared that majority members of the party in Ifedayo LGA are rooting for Oyebamiji to clinch the gubernatorial ticket.

Idowu said, “APC as a party in Ifedayo local government is solid and we are working in one direction to ensure that our party wins the next gubernatorial election.

“In Ifedayo local government, we are for Oyebamiji. Other aspirants are coming too but as far as the leading candidate is concerned, today in this local government, Oyebamiji has the majority.”

PUNCH