All Progressives Congress (APC) has fixed its gubernatorial primary for December 13, 2025, for the 2026 governorship election, TOBA ADEDEJI, reports on the recent political activities of one of the aspirants.
Political activities are in full swing in Osun State as both the ruling and opposition parties prepare for their primary elections to select the most popular and qualified aspirant to carry the party’s ticket during the gubernatorial election scheduled for August 8, 2026.
The opposition APC has the highest number of aspirants among the political parties in the state, with 13 chieftains of the party throwing their hats into the ring, positioning themselves as the best choice for the party.
Among the aspirants are: the former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority(NIWA), Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, who tagged his political movement as AMBO; ex-deputy governor, Benedict Alabi; Prince Dotun Babayemi; erstwhile National Secretary of APC, Senator Iyiola Omisore; Chairman of Mutual Benefit Assurance Plc, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi; Senator Mudasiru Hussein; legal luminary, Kunle Adegoke and ex-Chief of Staff to Oyinlola, Peter Babalola.
Also, an international businessman and Chairman of Nigerian Capital Development Fund (NCDF), Hareter Babatunde Oralusi; an aide of Ogun State former governor Gbenga Daniel, Engr. Dideolu Falobi, Senator Jide Omoworare and a Professor of Mathematics from the United States of America (USA), Rafiu Durodoye.
Oyebamiji, is a seasoned banker, technocrat, entrepreneur, and administrator whose leadership footprint stretches from Osun State’s finance ministry to the corridors of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
—How the race started
The Nation recalled that on May 12th 2025, no fewer than 3,000 digital media handlers mobilised support for the ex-NIWA boss to get the APC ticket. Subsequently, on May 27th, Oyebamiji joined the gubernatorial race, vowing to return Osun State to the progressive fold if picked as the flag bearer of the party. On July 26th 2025, Oyetola dropped his gubernatorial ambition at a stakeholders meeting held at Tinubu/Shettima campaign office, wishing all aspirants well in their endeavours.
Amid the development, Osun women group, under the auspices of All Progressives Congress (APC) Iron Ladies, led by Deaconess Adesola Ayangbile, vowed to deliver 1million votes for AMBO if given the party guber ticket, disclosing that they have started door-to-door mobilisation for APC, ahead 2026 and 2027 elections.
She said, “The endorsement of Oyebamiji’s candidacy was based on personal and collective conviction of every member of the group in appreciation of his outstanding feats in both private and public sectors as manifested in his immense contributions to the growth and development of Osun while serving in different capacities.”
Also, several groups have staged solidarity walks and agitated for the party to make Oyebamiji the flagbearer of the party, considering his rich experience in both the private and public sectors. Also, coming from Osun West Senatorial District, Ikire town, which had been marginalised by the APC since the creation of the state.
The political activities of the ex-NIWA boss, AMBO gained popularity and topped the rating chart of aspirants after he concluded his local government tour during which the party members and leaders were consulted to support his gubernatorial bid.
Subsequently, the kinsmen of the erstwhile National Secretary of APC, Omisore and the political group of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, christened as Oyetola Consultative Forum (OCF) endorsed Oyebamiji for the guber ticket of the party and for the 2026 election.
They also inaugurated 1,500 members as local canvassers’ coordinators to secure Oyebamiji’s emergence as the APC gubernatorial candidate. The group’s coordinator and former Deputy Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Olanike Omoworare, who hails from Ife Federal Constituency like Omisore, explained that they are working at every polling unit to ensure readiness for the primaries, saying “We are just getting started. We will train everyone to mobilise within the party so that Oyebamiji becomes the flagbearer. We are ready.”
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She emphasised that APC needs a candidate of integrity without baggage, noting that Oyebamiji best fits that profile, especially coming from the Osun West District, which had been marginalised by the APC.
Also, the kinsmen of Governor Ademola Adeleke from Ede Town, under the auspices of Ghaff Unity backed Oyebamiji for the 2026 Osun State guber seat, hinging their decision on his capacity he had demonstrated. The Coordinator of the group, Ajani Ayodeji, stated that “As the Osun State governorship elections draw nearer, it is imperative to call for impactful and purposeful leadership because Osun takes the back seat, and the last two and a half years have been marked by poor handling of our state’s human, financial, and mineral resources.”
They urged the party leaders, Chief Bisi Akande, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola and every stakeholder who desires to see the prosperity of Osun and thirsts for her greatness to support Oyebamiji.
Earlier, the APC leaders in Osun West led by Hon Gbenga Omolaoye, had unanimously agreed that the party’s candidate should come from the district for fairness and justice, a demand that favoured Oyebamiji.
Oyebamiji’s profile
When it comes to combining financial discipline with public service excellence, Oyebamiji tops the table among other aspirants of APC because as a seasoned banker, technocrat, entrepreneur, and administrator, his impacts are indelible. He was born on November 17, 1965, in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State, Oyebamiji’s story is one of steady growth built on hard work, integrity, and an unyielding commitment to excellence.
Oyebamiji began his early education at A.D.C. Primary School, Oke-Ada, Ikire, from 1971 to 1977, before proceeding to Ayedaade Grammar School, Ikire, where he obtained his Secondary School Leaving Certificate in 1982. His brilliance was evident from an early age, earning him multiple awards for outstanding performance in the Common Entrance and First School Leaving Certificate examinations.
Driven by a passion for knowledge, he proceeded to The Polytechnic, Ibadan, where he earned a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Banking and Finance in 1987. His educational pursuit continued with a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Lagos State University in 1997 and another Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Ado-Ekiti in 2004.
Oyebamiji began his professional career in 1987 at the International Banking Division of Wema Bank Plc as an Assistant Manager. His impressive performance saw him rise rapidly within the banking sector. In 1998, he joined Trans International Bank Plc, Ikeja, where he rose to become Head of Lagos Region by 2003.
He later joined Enterprise Bank Ltd in Victoria Island, Lagos, in 2009 as Head of Retail Business. Over two decades in banking equipped him with a deep understanding of financial management, risk assessment, and leadership, qualities that would later define his career in public service.
Throughout his banking career, Oyebamiji received several recognitions, including the Outstanding Deposit Performance Award (Spring Bank, 2007), Excellent Performance Award (Spring Bank, 2007), Most Profitable Manager of the Year (Trans International Bank, 2004), and Half-Year Outstanding Performance Award (Trans International Bank, 2001).
In 2012, his managerial expertise attracted the attention of the Osun State Government under then-Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who appointed him as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Osun State Investment Company Limited (now Omoluabi Holdings). During his tenure as the OSICOL boss, he turned around the fortunes of the company, growing it from about 300 million to about N3 billion, within five years. He dispensed his wealth of experience in contributing immensely to the state’s IGR, attaining an impressive record performance that threw him up for the position of Commissioner for Finance in Osun State in 2017.
His transparency in financial operations and efficient budgetary management, earned him an extended term in office by the then-Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, who did not need to look farther before settling for a man widely regarded as a public sector expert in human resources, finance, and policy formation.
During his eight-year tenure, Oyebamiji reinforced the state’s financial framework, promoted transparency in public finance, and ensured prudent and efficient budget management. He remains deeply connected to his roots. He is an active member of several community organizations, including Destiny Club, Ikire Businessmen Club, and the Ikire Progressive Union. In both 2010 and 2018, he received the Ikire Day Award of Excellence for his contributions to community development.
In recognition of his leadership qualities and contribution to community development, the Akire of Ikire Land, Oba Olatunde Lambe Loyé III, conferred on him the prestigious title of Asiwaju of Ikire in January 2020, a position that underscores his role as a torchbearer and foremost son of Ikire.
Following excellent performance at different offices held by Oyebamiji, in October, 2023, the President Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, appointed him as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA). The position he has occupied to date.
Oyebamiji’ s successes in private, public sectors
Oyebamiji speaking with The Nation, he highlighted his achievements in both private and public sectors, stating that his last appointment as the NIWA boss he displayed exceptional dedication in the dispensation of his duty, bringing to the agency over 30 years of combined experience in banking, investment, and public administration.
He recalled that as Managing Director OSICOL in 2012, he embarked on restructuring the entity, diversifying into different business ventures such as oil and gas, and real estate, to boost the state’s revenue, create wealth, and sustain its economic self-reliance.
He said “Within five years, through my leadership, OSICOL built over 40 flats of different sizes in choice areas of Lagos and Abuja, in addition to a mega fuel retailing station with 26 pumps/nozzles that was built, now operated by NNPC, to shore up the state’s revenue base.”
“When I assumed office as Finance Commissioner, the state’s low IGR per capita was N1,378 in 2017 and the state was paying half salary. I coordinated efforts to improve the state’s cash management and reduce revenue leakages through the implementation of the State’s Treasury Single Account (TSA) to ensure the state operates a single account for its IGR and federal transfers (FAAC and VAT). This helped to pay full salary under Aregbesola.
“Few days in office as Commissioner, the half-salary regime, which had commenced in June 2015, came to a halt, and that administration began paying salaries in full till the end of Aregbesola’s tenure. I stopped the payment of modulated salary which people called half salary. I was also instrumental under Oyetola’s government, which started paying salaries and pensions promptly and offset N97 billions of inherited debts. In 2021, the state’s spending on personnel costs grew by 27.91%, and it became one of the first five states to fully implement the N30,000 national minimum wage. The state also improved its capital spending on education by 102% compared to the previous year, spending 37.9% of its capital budget on education.
“By the time Oyetola’s government ended in 2022, the IGR per capita increased from N1,378 in 2017 to N5,185, and the state’s ranking had improved from 36th to 11th position.”
Also, he disclosed, “I champion reforms at NIWA, aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s inland waterways as a viable alternative for transportation, trade, and logistics. My leadership style emphasises accountability, innovation, and the promotion of sustainable infrastructure to boost economic growth.
Within two years, my leadership worked assiduously to reduce deaths and accidents on Nigeria’s inland waterways by more than 70 per cent. I also elevated safety awareness campaigns to unprecedented heights, while staff welfare received remarkable and widely commended attention.”
Speaking about his personal venture, he disclosed that he is the Chairman of White Green Farms, a large-scale agricultural enterprise which he founded over 25 years ago.
He noted that the farm is a subsidiaries in Onireke, Funmilayo, Agboora, and Oosa villages, specializes in yam and plantain flour, palm oil, palm kernel, maize, and other grains which is contributing significantly to food production and rural employment in Osun State.
According to him, “My commitment to my personal professional development has seen me to earn multiple fellowships, including: Fellow, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) – 2019, Fellow, Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria (ICEN) – 2011, Fellow, Association of Enterprise Risk Management Professionals (AERMP)—2016.
“I have also attended numerous professional courses and international workshops across Nigeria, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Turkey, covering areas such as risk management, corporate governance, and financial leadership.”
“Before I resigned as NIWA MD on Friday, I boosted operations by adding fifteen new boats to the fleet. These included patrol boats, water ambulances, and survey boats, all of which made it easier for NIWA to respond quickly and keep the waterways safe. Deployed 300 water marshals distributed 42,000 of life jackets to boat users.”
Osun stands still for AMBO’s guber bid
Youths from ten local government areas of Osun West Senatorial District, Osun State endorsed AMBO guber ambition ahead of APC guber December 13th gubernatorial primary. The Osun West senatorial youth leader of APC, Imran Adekunle urged the leaders of the party at the apex level to zone the ticket to the Osun West senatorial district, saying, “We have been pleading with our leaders to zone the party ticket to the Osun West Senatorial District. As of today, we are fully prepared for the election. I want to urge our youths in this district to remain united and support our district to produce the Governor in 2026.”
Also, thousands of APC members held a solidarity march to back the guber aspiration of AMBO, as his supporters converged on Osogbo City Stadium and marched through Ayetoro, Igbona, Olounkoro, Old-Garage, Orisunbare, Ola-Iya, Fakunle to Ogo-Oluwa which covered 5 kilometers before they terminated the march at Tinubu/Shettima campaign office.
They described the ex-NIWA boss as the best aspirant who has the capacity and able to deliver victory for the party if given the party guber ticket for the 2026 election, as the ex- Speaker of the Osun House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye, said the walk was not just a show of strength for Oyebamiji but also a reaffirmation that APC remained the party to beat in Osun.
He said, “This Unity Walk is to tell Osun people that APC is united and ready for 2026. AMBO stands out as a competent, tested, and trusted aspirant with a track record of performance.”
Also, Osun ex-commissioner under Oyetola’s government, Hon. Adebayo Adeleke, said the large turnout of APC to support Oyebamiji is a testament that he is loved by all sundries of the party ahead of the December 13th primary.
As the countdown to the primary intensifies, AMBO’s growing influence within the party has become increasingly evident across wards, local governments and strategic blocs of the APC. His consultations with stakeholders, youth groups, professional bodies and community leaders have not only widened his support base but also positioned him as the aspirant with the most organised and visible grassroots machinery. Many within the party believe that his long-standing public service experience, coupled with what they describe as a “people-first approach,” is giving him a decisive edge ahead of the December 13 primary.
