2026 OSUN APC GUBER RACE: Oyetola Allegedly Steps Down, Endorses Bola Oyebamiji

By Femi Ajiboye – Osogbo

As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2026 governorship election in Osun State, strong indications have emerged that former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola may have stepped aside from the race and allegedly endorsed his former Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Bola Oyebamiji, as the preferred candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Multiple reliable sources within the party confirmed to Roundoyo News that Oyetola, who served as governor between 2018 and 2022 and more recently as Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has decided not to re-contest but instead support a trusted loyalist to fly the party’s flag.

Oyebamiji, who served as Commissioner for Finance throughout Oyetola’s administration, is widely regarded as one of the ex-governor’s closest allies and an astute technocrat with deep grassroots connections, particularly in Osun West Senatorial District.

According to insiders, Oyetola’s decision followed a series of strategic meetings with select party leaders and stakeholders across the three senatorial zones in a bid to strengthen party unity and present a consensus candidate ahead of the APC primaries.

“The former governor believes that Oyebamiji has the right mix of competence, loyalty, and regional appeal to reposition the APC in Osun and reclaim power from the PDP,” a party source told Roundoyo News.

The endorsement, though yet to be publicly confirmed by Oyetola or Oyebamiji, is already sparking a wave of realignments within the party, with other notable aspirants now re-evaluating their ambitions. Prominent among them are Senator Ajibola Bashiru and former House of Representatives member, Hon. Taofeek Ajilesoro, both of whom are believed to be eyeing the party’s ticket.

While Oyebamiji has remained silent on the development, his recent political engagements — including courtesy visits to traditional rulers, consultations with youth leaders, and subtle mobilization across local government areas appear to confirm growing speculations about his impending declaration.

Analysts believe that fielding a candidate from Osun West may give the APC an edge, given the long-standing agitation for power shift to the zone, which is yet to produce a governor since the state’s creation.

The PDP’s incumbent Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, who hails from the same Osun West zone, is expected to seek re-election in 2026. A contest between Oyebamiji and Adeleke, if it materializes, would mark the first time in the state’s history that two major candidates from Osun West go head-to-head in a governorship race.

Meanwhile, sources say the national leadership of the APC has been briefed about recent developments in Osun, with expectations that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may play a decisive role in influencing the party’s final decision.

As the 2026 race inches closer, all eyes are now on the Osun APC as it navigates the path toward internal consensus and electoral revival.