The political landscape in Osun State has intensified as the race for the All Progressives Congress governorship ticket witnesses significant developments ahead of the 2026 elections.
Key Resignation and Form Acquisition
In a major move that signals serious political ambition, Mr Bola Oyebamiji has officially resigned from his position as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Agency. This resignation comes as the prominent aspirant prepares to contest for the APC governorship ticket in compliance with electoral regulations.
Simultaneously, former deputy governor of Osun State and immediate past national secretary of the APC, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has obtained his nomination and expression of interest forms at the party's national secretariat in Abuja. The forms were acquired after payment of N50 million, demonstrating the high stakes involved in the contest.
Electoral Timeline and Contestants
While the Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the gubernatorial election for August 8, 2026, the APC is planning to conduct its primary election on December 13 to select its flagbearer. The primary is expected to be highly competitive with no fewer than 13 aspirants currently jostling for the party's ticket.
The list of prominent contenders includes Senator Iyiola Omisore, Bola Oyebamiji (popularly known as AMBO), Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, incumbent national secretary of the party Senator Ajibola Basiru, Prince Dotun Babayemi, Kunle Adegoke SAN, and Professor Rafiu Durotoye. Other aspirants are Chief Peter Babalola, Harreter Babatunde Oralusi, Engineer Dideolu Falobi, and Senator Mudasiru Hussein.
Legal Compliance and Party Intervention
Oyebamiji's resignation from NIWA was necessary to comply with the Electoral Act 2022, Section 84 (12), which prohibits political appointees from participating in party primaries without resigning. The Ikire-born politician had served as the substantive MD/CEO of NIWA since his appointment in October 2023.
In a statement released by the coordinator of AMBO Media Fronts, Adebayo Adedeji, Oyebamiji expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the nation for two years as head of the waterways agency.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Elders' Caucus (Igboho Agba) of the APC has intervened in the process, urging all governorship aspirants to temporarily halt the purchase of nomination forms. The caucus, through its chairman Engr. Sola Akinwumi, announced that a screening committee has been inaugurated to vet all aspirants ahead of the party primaries.
The elders received the report of its adhoc committee on the 2026 Osun Governorship Election on November 14, 2025, and resolved that aspirants should wait for the screening committee's report before obtaining the prescribed forms. This move is seen as an effort to bring order to what promises to be a highly contested primary election.
