Osun 2026: Ex-speaker Confident APC Will Field Popular Gov Candidate

The immediate past Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress will unite to present a candidate with mass appeal for the 2026 governorship election.

Owoeye spoke in Osogbo on Tuesday during the AMBO Unity Walk, organised by the campaign team of the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji, who is seeking the APC governorship ticket.

The walk, which drew large crowds of APC members, started at Osogbo City Stadium and ended at the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Office, causing traffic gridlocks along key routes, including Ayetoro/Old Garage, Olaiya/Gbongan Road, and the Old Garage Okefia corridor.

Participants, donning blue caps with “AMBO” inscriptions, sang songs in support of President Bola Tinubu and Oyebamiji’s governorship ambition.

Owoeye said, “We appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving us this platform to operate as politicians. APC remains the party to beat in 2026 and 2027 elections.

“Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji is the aspirant APC should be looking at for 2026. This walk is about unity and bringing everyone together in the Osun APC.

Ex-Osun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Adebayo Adeleke, described the large turnout as a clear sign of Oyebamiji’s popularity.

“The unsolicited support for Bola Oyebamiji is real. People were amazed by the crowd. If we mobilise from all local governments, the turnout will be massive.

“Bola Oyebamiji is the candidate to beat. We are ready for the primaries anytime,” Adeleke said.

PUNCH Online reports that the APC has scheduled its primary for December 13, 2025. About 13 aspirants have indicated interest in the party’s ticket, visiting local governments to engage party members.

Aside from Oyebamiji, aspirants include former Senate Committee Chairman Babajide Omoworare; lawyer Dotun Babayemi, son of the late Olufi of Gbongan; former Deputy Governor Benedict Alabi; Mutual Assurance Benefits Chairman Akin Ogunbiyi; and legal practitioner Kunle Adegoke (SAN).

Supporters of the aspirants have recently clashed on social media, attempting to promote their preferred candidates while criticising others.